Scheme administration
Queensland industrial deafness claims are administered through WorkCover Queensland, regulated by Office of Industrial Relations / WorkCover QLD. See our main industrial deafness guide for the underlying claim mechanics, evidence requirements, and process.
Lump-sum impairment threshold
6% binaural hearing loss for lump-sum compensation under Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (QLD).
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 for WorkCover lodgement; common-law damages have separate 3-year limitation.
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.
Legal cost notes
Queensland doesn't have NSW-style IRO funding, but specialist hearing-loss firms typically handle these on a no-win-no-fee basis given the relatively predictable claim economics.
Claim process in Queensland
- 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