NSW workers compensation law has undergone significant reform, with two new Acts - the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Act 2025 and the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2026 - now proclaimed and taking effect in stages.

Today, Friday 26 June 2026, the Government proclaimed that a number of the major changes to be implemented by the amendment Acts will come into force on 1 July 2026.

Significantly, the definition of what is a compensable primary psychological injury is being redefined for injuries from 1 July 2026 - a significant shift for employers and workers alike.

In addition, the Industrial Relations Commission gains exclusive jurisdiction to determine disputes arising from whether certain conduct constitutes "relevant conduct" in new primary psychological injury claims - covering matters such as bullying, harassment, and excessive work demands.

These reforms represent some of the most consequential changes to the NSW workers compensation scheme in over a decade.

Turks will continue to keep clients informed as the reforms progress. For advice on how these changes may affect your organisation, please contact us.