Edition No.97
This edition was issued on 9 June 2026
Welcome
In this edition, I am pleased to invite applications from suitably qualified practitioners for the role of General Member (Sessional) at the Commission in both the Motor Accidents and Workers Compensation Divisions. Ideally, we are seeking experienced applicants who can be appointed to both divisions, which will greatly assist in responding to the high number of filings we are currently receiving across the Commission.
Practitioners can assist our response to the high filings by ensuring all applications lodged have been adequately prepared. We are noting an increase in applications being lodged prematurely as outlined below.
Planning for the centenary of workers compensation in NSW is in full swing with a ceremonial sitting taking place next month, followed by a celebratory dinner in November.
Finally, I am delighted to confirm that the Police Officer Support Scheme Division is now live in Pathway, meaning that tribunal users can now lodge applications across all our divisions in the same way. The Commission has updated the user guide for the Pathway Portal accordingly.
Regards,
The Hon. Adam Searle
Acting President
Sessional General Member recruitment
Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for dual appointment as a Sessional General Member.
Opportunities are available in Sydney and regional locations, with some travel potentially required. Ideal candidates will have sound knowledge of workers compensation and/or motor accidents law, together with demonstrated alternative dispute resolution and facilitation skills. Applications close at 10am on Tuesday 23 June 2026.
Practitioners urged to adequately prepare for Commission proceedings
As the Commission continues to experience significant filings and undertakes a range of initiatives to respond, practitioners are being urged to assist by adequately preparing all material before lodging an application.
Analysis of unallocated motor accidents medical disputes has shown that an increasing number of applications are being prematurely lodged before they are ready for assessment, and others where the insurer has not had the opportunity to obtain their own independent medical examination. There are an increasing number of matters where the claimant is not stable for assessment.
We encourage practitioners to only file medical dispute applications that are ready to proceed to a medical assessment upon lodgement. Matters that are not ready to proceed to an assessment may be at risk of dismissal.
Practitioners should note that the Commission’s Registry will continue to reject any non-compliant applications lodged. Tribunal users are always provided with detailed reasons on why an application has been rejected, which confirm all elements of non-compliance. Practitioners should re-lodge the application when the matter is ready to proceed to assessment.
Where an application is submitted by a self-represented claimant, the Commission remains committed to providing additional support.
Celebrating a centenary of workers compensation
This year is the centenary of the commencement of the Workers Compensation Act 1926, and two special events will take place to mark the occasion.
On 1 July 2026, the Personal Injury Commission and the District Court Compensation Jurisdiction will jointly host a Ceremonial Sitting at the Ceremonial Court in Sydney. The event will also be livestreamed.
On 4 November 2026, a Centenary of Workers Compensation dinner will commemorate 100 years of workers compensation and celebrate the people, milestones and contributions that have shaped the workers compensation system over the past 100 years. Further event and ticketing details will be released closer to the date. Save the date and stay tuned for more information.
Police Officer Support Scheme now live in Pathway
The Police Officer Support Scheme (POSS) Division is now live on the Pathway portal, meaning all disputes across the Commission’s three divisions can now be lodged in the same way.
A new range of POSS application and reply forms have been added to the portal. These forms mirror the existing workers compensation forms as much as possible and replace the use of any offline forms. Additionally, some existing forms have been updated for use for the POSS.
All applications and replies in the POSS Division should now be lodged via the Pathway Portal.
If you do not practice in the POSS Division, there is no action required, but you may notice minor changes to the portal as a result of this change.
For assistance using the Pathway Portal, please log a request in the Digital Hub or call 1800 742 679 (1800 PIC NSW).
New single user guide for the Pathway portal
The inclusion of POSS on Pathway has provided the opportunity for the Commission to review and update its user information for the Pathway portal.
All information has now been consolidated into a single user guide which you can find on the Commission’s website.
Legislative reform
Keep up to date with how the Commission is operationalising the latest legislative changes on our new webpage.
Centenary dinner
The 100 years of Workers Compensation Dinner will be held on 4 November 2026. Tickets will go on sale soon.
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