Edition No.99

On Wednesday 1 July 2026 we commemorated 100 years of workers compensation in New South Wales with a Ceremonial Sitting at the NSW District Court.

It was 100 years to the day since the commencement of the Workers Compensation Act 1926 (1926 Act), a product of 40 years of intense campaigning.

The 1926 Act introduced three pillars which have endured to this day: a no-fault compensation scheme for workers; an obligation for employers to insure their workers against injury; and the establishment of a dedicated tribunal to hear and determine all disputes.

What was controversial in 1925–26 is entirely uncontroversial today and is now very much a part of the legal architecture of New South Wales. 

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the District Court Compensation Jurisdiction for co-hosting this wonderful event with the Commission, as well as to the speakers on the day and the many people who attended in person and online. I would also like to record my appreciation to the Chief Judge of the District Court, The Hon. Justice Sarah Huggett, for allowing us to use the NSW District Court’s Ceremonial Court for the Ceremonial Sitting.

Please read more about the centenary of workers compensation below and find links to a recording of the Ceremonial Sitting and the addresses provided on the day.

Regards, 
Judge Phillips
President

The Ceremonial Sitting commemorating the centenary of the commencement of the Workers Compensation Act 1926 was held at 9am on Wednesday 1 July 2026.

Hosted jointly by the District Court Compensation Jurisdiction and the Personal Injury Commission, the event heard from the following speakers:

• His Honour Judge G W Neilson
• Mr Ronan MacSweeney, President of the Law Society of NSW
• Mr Dominic Toomey SC, President of the NSW Bar Association
• His Honour Judge Gerard Phillips, President of the Personal Injury Commission

The speakers each reflected on the activities and actions that led to the passage of the 1926 Act through Parliament and the contribution of the workers compensation jurisdiction to the administration of justice in this state. 

The event also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the many people who have played a part in supporting injured workers and employers through delivery of the scheme over the past 100 years. 

Special guests included The Hon. Justice Julie Ward, President of the Court of Appeal; The Hon. Justice Sarah Huggett, Judge of the Supreme Court and Chief Judge of the District Court; The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG; The Hon. Justice Ingmar Taylor, President of Industrial Court; The Hon. Jihad Dib, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice; and Ms Elizabeth Mildwater, Secretary of the Department of Customer Service. They were joined by former presidents and a former registrar of the Workers Compensation Commission, senior government officials and a range of current and former workers compensation decision-makers, staff and practitioners.

Watch the Ceremonial Sitting and read the speeches