Western Australian Current Regulations

WORKERS COMPENSATION AND INJURY MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS 2024 - REG 43

43 .         Paying for audiological tests

        (1)         The cost of an audiological test must be paid for by —

            (a)         if the current employer of the worker is a noisy employer — the current employer of the worker; or

            (b)         if the worker is no longer employed in noisy employment — the last noisy employer of the worker but only if the worker was employed by that noisy employer within a period of 3 months ending on the day on which the audiological test is performed; or

            (c)         if paragraph (a) or (b) does not apply — the worker.

        (2)         For the purposes of subregulation (1), the cost of an audiological test includes expenses reasonably incurred by the worker in connection with the audiological test.

        (3)         If the worker and the employer fail to agree on whether the employment is or was (as the case requires) noisy employment, the worker may apply to WorkCover WA for a determination on the issue.

        (4)         As soon as practicable after receiving an application under subregulation (3), WorkCover WA must make a determination in respect of the application.

        (5)         A determination made under subregulation (4) —

            (a)         must be confined to determining the following —

                  (i)         whether the employer is or was a noisy employer of the worker;

                  (ii)         identifying the employer who is liable to pay for the audiological test (if any);

                and

            (b)         may be in respect of —

                  (i)         a specific employer; or

                  (ii)         a class of employer, which may include the specific employer referred to in subparagraph (i);

                and

            (c)         must be in writing; and

            (d)         is final and binding —

                  (i)         if the determination is in respect of a specific employer under paragraph (b)(i) — on the employer, the employer’s insurer, the worker and the authorised audiologist; or

                  (ii)         if the determination is in respect of a class of employer under paragraph (b)(ii) — on an employer of that class, the employer’s insurer, a worker employed by that class of employer and any authorised audiologists.

        (6)         A copy of a determination made under subregulation (4) must, within 7 days after the determination is made —

            (a)         be given to the worker, the employer and, if another employer is identified as being liable to pay for the audiological test, that other employer; and

            (b)         if the determination is in respect of a class of employer — be published on the WorkCover WA website.

        (7)         If the cost of an audiological test is paid for by a worker who subsequently makes a successful claim for noise‑induced hearing loss compensation, the last employer liable to deal with the claim and pay compensation must reimburse to the worker the cost of the audiological test.

        [Regulation 43 amended: SL 2024/89 r. 4.]