Weekly WorkCover payments are only as accurate as the earnings figure they are based on. For injured workers in Victoria, that figure is known as Pre-Injury Average Weekly Earnings (PIAWE). It determines how much income support you receive while you recover. When it is calculated correctly, it can provide a level of financial stability during an already difficult period. When it is not, even a small discrepancy can affect every payment you receive.
The difficulty is that PIAWE is not always clearly explained. Many workers are left unsure how their payments are calculated or whether they reflect what they were actually earning before their injury. Carbone Lawyers regularly assist clients in reviewing WorkCover compensation and identifying potential underpayments. WorkCover is designed to compensate for lost income when you cannot work or can only return in a limited capacity, but ensuring those payments are correct is critical to protecting your financial position.
What Pre-Injury Average Weekly Earnings Means
PIAWE is the average amount you earned before your workplace injury. It is the figure used to calculate your weekly WorkCover payments.
If you are unable to work, or can only return in a reduced capacity, WorkCover provides income support based on that pre-injury earning level. In practical terms, your past earnings become the reference point for what you are paid when injured.
How WorkCover Weekly Payments Are Calculated
WorkCover payments follow a structured approach.
- For the first 13 weeks, you are generally paid 95% of your average weekly earnings
- After 13 weeks, this typically reduces to 80% of your average weekly earnings
These payments are designed to reflect a reduced capacity to work rather than fully replace your income. The key point is that these percentages are applied to your PIAWE. If that starting figure is not accurate, the payments that follow may not reflect your true entitlement.
Why Getting Your PIAWE Right Matters
A small error in your earnings figure does not remain small for long. WorkCover payments are made weekly and may continue for an extended period. If your PIAWE is underestimated, that shortfall carries through every payment. Over time, this can have an impact on your ability to manage expenses. This is why PIAWE is essential for your financial stability while you recover.
What May Be Included in Your Earnings
PIAWE is based on your regular earnings before your injury. This reflects the income you consistently received from your employment leading up to the incident. The exact way those earnings are assessed can vary depending on your work pattern, but the intention is to capture a fair picture of what you were typically earning.
Factors That Can Affect Your PIAWE
Not every work arrangement is straightforward, and that can influence how your PIAWE is determined. Common factors include:
- Changes in your working hours before your injury
- Irregular or fluctuating income
- Casual, part-time or contract arrangements
WorkCover applies to a wide range of workers, including employees, contractors and others in different roles, which can add complexity to how earnings are assessed.
Signs Your WorkCover Payments May Be Incorrect
It is not always obvious when something is wrong. However, there are some indicators that your payments may not reflect your actual earnings.
- Your weekly payments seem lower than expected
- The amount does not align with what you were regularly earning
- Changes in your work pattern before injury have not been taken into account
- You have not been given a clear explanation of how your payments were calculated
If any of these apply, it may be worth taking a closer look. If your payments do not seem right, it is worth getting them reviewed.
Why Mistakes Can Happen
WorkCover claims can be complex. Assessing income and work history requires accurate and complete information. If that information is incomplete or misunderstood, the resulting calculation may not reflect your true earnings. However, failing to provide correct information can set a claim back and affect the outcome. This does not mean mistakes are inevitable, but they are possible.
What to Do If Your Weekly Payments Are Wrong
If you believe your payments may not be correct, there are practical steps you can take.
- Gather your payslips and employment records
- Compare your previous earnings with your current payments
- Request clarification about how your payments were calculated
- Seek legal advice before accepting any decision
If necessary, WorkCover decisions can be challenged through the Work Injury Commission.
How to Protect Your Income Entitlements
Taking a proactive approach can help reduce the risk of issues later.
- Keep copies of your payslips and employment records
- Track your work hours and income details
- Retain correspondence from insurers
- Seek advice early if something does not seem right
It is also important not to accept compensation or sign documents without proper legal advice. You may be entitled to more than you have been offered.
How Carbone Lawyers Can Help
Carbone Lawyers has extensive experience assisting injured workers across Victoria. Our team can:
- Review your PIAWE calculation
- Identify potential underpayments
- Communicate with insurers on your behalf
- Assist with disputes and appeals
If you are unsure about your situation, you can explore your options and help you learn more about WorkCover and workers compensation to better understand your entitlements. We also assist with a range of workplace injury claims, including physical injury and psychological injury, providing support based on your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PIAWE in WorkCover? PIAWE stands for Pre-Injury Average Weekly Earnings. It represents the average income you earned before your injury and is used to calculate your weekly payments.
How is PIAWE calculated in Victoria? It is generally based on your earnings before your injury. The exact approach depends on your work pattern and employment circumstances.
What percentage of wages does WorkCover pay? WorkCover typically pays 95% of your average weekly earnings for the first 13 weeks, then 80% thereafter.
Can I dispute my PIAWE calculation? Yes. If you believe your payments are incorrect, you can request a review or challenge the decision through the Work Injury Commission.
What happens if my payments are incorrect? Incorrect payments can result in ongoing underpayment. Reviewing your situation early can help protect your entitlements.
Contact Carbone Lawyers today
Understanding PIAWE changes how you see your WorkCover payments. What may seem like a fixed amount is built on a figure that can be reviewed and, where necessary, corrected.Your income support during recovery should not be left to assumption. It is something to understand and, if needed, question. Once you recognise how much depends on that initial calculation, it becomes clear why it is worth getting right. Contact Carbone Lawyers today for an assessment of your PIAWE.