09/12/2025

The announcement today that the Queensland Government will introduce a range of reforms designed to minimise fraud in the WorkCover scheme is welcome, says the Australian Lawyers Alliance.

“The government’s formation of a fraud taskforce and the introduction of education programs are welcome steps to protect confidence in the system,” said Peter Gibson, Queensland President, Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA).

“Queensland’s workers’ compensation scheme is a national benchmark — fair, sustainable, and delivering for workers and employers. It is critical to ensure that workers, employers and taxpayers retain confidence in the integrity of the scheme.

“While introducing these new measures, we should make sure the lens is widened to employer non-compliance — unpaid premiums, wage under reporting and failure to insure. This could be a larger drag on scheme sustainability than claimant fraud, and stronger investigation and enforcement here will make a difference.

“Employer non-compliance places pressure on the scheme and also on those employers who do the right thing.

“The strength of Queensland’s system lies in its careful balance, good governance and its focus on rehabilitation and return to work. We encourage all efforts to ensure the system maintains its integrity and focus on strong outcomes.”

The Australian Lawyers Alliance is a not-for-profit member organisation made up of legal professionals, many of whom represent injured workers.