Revised Permanent Impairment Guidelines and APIA Forms
Revised WorkCover WA Permanent Impairment Guidelines – effective 1 July 2026
Following a technical review and consultation process WorkCover WA has issued a 2nd edition of the WorkCover WA Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.
The 2nd edition was published in the Government Gazette on 30 April 2026 and comes into operation on 1 July 2026.
Most of the changes in the 2nd edition align with technical changes made to Safe Work Australia’s template impairment guides in 2024. A small number of WA specific issues previously raised by scheme stakeholders have also been addressed.
A key additional change in the 2nd edition is the broadening of the special assessment criteria to authorise a special assessment if a worker’s condition has not stabilised 18 months after an injury occurs, so that workers can access permanent impairment compensation.
The 2nd edition also clarifies that a special assessment is to be based on the clinical assessment of the worker as they present on the day of the special assessment and must not consider any prospective change in the degree of permanent impairment that may result from future treatment, anticipated further recovery or deterioration of the worker’s condition.
Refer to the summary document for further information on the specific changes from the 1st to the 2nd edition of the WorkCover WA Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.
The revised Guidelines are published on the WorkCover WA website but should only be used from 1 July 2026.
Revised APIA approved forms – effective 1 July 2026
Three APIA forms have also been revised to support the 2nd edition of the WorkCover WA Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, and the APIA Standards of Practice which will be officially launched on 20 May 2026.
Refer to the summary document for further information on the specific changes to APIA forms.
The revised APIA forms are published on the WorkCover WA website but should only be used from 1 July 2026.
