Scheme administration
New South Wales industrial deafness claims are administered through icare workers compensation, regulated by State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA). See our main industrial deafness guide for the underlying claim mechanics, evidence requirements, and process.
Lump-sum impairment threshold
Generally 6% binaural impairment for lump-sum compensation under Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW).
Most workers with sustained noise exposure exceed the threshold. An audiogram from an audiologist familiar with workers compensation reporting establishes your binaural percentage, which then maps to a lump-sum amount under the relevant state scheme.
Time limits
6 months from awareness of injury (extensions possible).
Time runs from when you became aware of the loss and its connection to work — not from when you stopped employment in noise. For most claimants this is the date of an audiogram showing diagnosable noise-induced hearing loss. Older retired claimants regularly succeed because their first audiogram came after retirement.
IRO funding for legal costs
NSW is unusual in that the Independent Review Office (IRO) provides free legal funding for injured workers in claim disputes. This means you typically pay nothing for legal advice on a NSW industrial deafness claim. The IRO funds approved law firms directly.
Claim process in New South Wales
- Get a referral to an audiologist familiar with workers comp reporting (your specialist lawyer arranges)
- Audiogram establishes binaural percentage and noise-induced pattern
- Lawyer identifies the right insurer based on your work history (last noisy employer in the state)
- Claim lodged with the relevant insurer
- Insurer requests an Independent Medical Examination (IME) — usually a confirming hearing test
- Determination typically within 2 to 4 months of lodgement
- Lump sum paid; ongoing hearing aid funding commences