What counts as industrial deafness
Industrial deafness (also called noise-induced hearing loss, occupational hearing loss, or boilermaker's deafness) is permanent sensorineural hearing loss caused by sustained occupational noise exposure. Typical hallmarks:
- High-frequency loss first (4 kHz "noise notch" on audiogram)
- Loss often binaural (both ears) and roughly symmetrical
- Often accompanied by tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
- Develops gradually over years; commonly noticed after retirement
Compensable noise exposure usually involves work in: construction, mining, manufacturing, metal trades, transport (truck driving, taxi driving, locomotive operations), defence, agriculture (chainsaws, machinery), commercial fishing, foundry work, printing, and entertainment industry roles with sustained loud sound exposure.
Who is eligible
To be eligible:
- You worked in a noisy environment for a sustained period (commonly 5+ years, though shorter periods can qualify for severe exposure)
- You have measurable hearing loss on a current audiogram
- The loss is consistent with noise exposure (assessed by an audiologist or ENT specialist)
You don't need to currently be employed in the noisy job. Most claimants are retired or working in different industries. The claim is lodged against the workers compensation system of the last state where you worked in noise.
How much can you claim
Industrial deafness payouts have several components:
- Lump-sum impairment compensation — based on your binaural hearing impairment percentage. Typical AU range: $5,000 to $80,000+ depending on severity and state scheme
- Hearing aids — typically $5,000 to $15,000 per pair, replaced every 5 years lifetime
- Audiology assessments and ongoing testing — funded
- Tinnitus treatment — counselling, sound therapy, where prescribed
- Common-law damages — rare, but possible for severe loss involving employer negligence in specific states
Indicative impairment-to-payout ranges (NSW/VIC, simplified):
| Binaural impairment | Indicative lump-sum range |
|---|---|
| 6–10% | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| 10–20% | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| 20–35% | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| 35%+ | $60,000 – $100,000+ |
Specific impairment thresholds and lump-sum tables vary by state. Some states have a minimum threshold (commonly 6% binaural loss) below which lump-sum compensation isn't payable.
NSW figures from icare and SIRA
NSW publishes specific maximum-payout and per-percentage figures via icare and SIRA:
- Maximum permanent impairment payout for hearing loss (NSW, July 2023): $216,310 for the most extreme case.
- Per-percentage rate (post-2002 injuries): approximately $800 per 1% of binaural hearing loss.
- Thresholds: pre-2002 injuries 6% binaural; post-2002 11% whole-person impairment / 20.5% binaural; police, paramedics, firefighters and coal miners are subject to a lower 6% binaural threshold.
- Volume: over 10,000 NSW workers had noise-related injuries recorded over the past four years; more than 90% resulted in permanent hearing impairment.
Source: Law Partners' industrial deafness compensation guide citing icare and SIRA. The icare hearing impairment payment schedule is at icare's hearing impairment payments page; the NSW Independent Review Office (IRO) ILARS practice guide for hearing-loss claims is available here.
Worked example
An NSW worker with a 20% permanent impairment plus a finding of employer negligence received the following components in a published Law Partners worked example:
- Hearing aids and ongoing audiology assessments — $4,800
- Permanent impairment lump sum (per the icare schedule) — $56,320
- Work injury damages lump sum (under the negligence finding) — $62,300
- Total: $123,420
See the worked example in Law Partners' guide.
The claim process
- Get an audiogram from an audiologist who is familiar with workers compensation reporting (your lawyer can refer you to one). The audiogram identifies whether you have noise-induced loss and the percentage of impairment.
- Lodge the claim with the workers compensation insurer of the last noisy employer (your lawyer will identify the right insurer based on your work history)
- Insurer requests an Independent Medical Examination (IME) — usually a hearing test conducted by an insurer-appointed audiologist or ENT
- Insurer assesses based on the IME and your work history. Determination usually takes 2 to 4 months
- Lump sum paid on acceptance, plus hearing aid funding starts
Time limits
Time limits for industrial deafness vary by state but are generally measured from the date you became aware of the loss and its likely connection to work, not from the date you stopped working. For most claimants this is the date of an audiogram showing diagnosable loss.
- NSW — 6 months from date of awareness of injury for icare lodgement, with extensions possible
- VIC — 30 days for primary notice, extensions for late notification with reasonable excuse
- QLD — 6 months for WorkCover QLD lodgement
- WA — strict 12 months from date of injury awareness
- SA — 6 months for ReturnToWorkSA lodgement
Late lodgement is often allowed if you can show good reason for the delay (e.g. you only recently learned the loss was work-related). Don't assume you've missed the boat — get advice.
Common myths about industrial deafness claims
"My loss is age-related, not work-related"
Audiograms can usually distinguish noise-induced loss from age-related (presbycusic) loss based on the frequency pattern. Noise-induced loss has the characteristic 4 kHz notch. An audiologist can apportion the components.
"I always wore hearing protection so I can't claim"
Hearing protection reduces but doesn't eliminate exposure, and use is rarely 100%. Workers comp doesn't require you to have failed to wear PPE — it asks whether the loss was caused by employment.
"My old employer is out of business"
Doesn't matter. Workers compensation insurance attaches to the employer and is paid by the insurer. Old insurers and current state schemes pay claims regardless of whether the original employer still exists.
"My loss isn't bad enough"
Many claimants underestimate their loss. The threshold is usually 6% binaural loss, which is far less than most people who've worked in noise have. Get an audiogram before assuming.
Industrial deafness by state
State-specific guides covering scheme administration, lump-sum thresholds, time limits, and (for NSW) free legal assistance via the IRO:
- NSW industrial deafness claim — icare, IRO funded legal advice
- Victoria industrial deafness claim — WorkSafe Victoria
- Queensland industrial deafness claim — WorkCover QLD, common-law accessible
- WA industrial deafness claim — WorkCover WA, 15% WPI threshold for common law