Firefighters across New South Wales, including in the Hunter, will have faster access to support if they are diagnosed with certain cancers, under reforms announced by the Minns Labor Government.
The changes expand the number of cancers presumed to qualify for workers compensation, removing the need for firefighters to prove their illness was caused by their work.
The additional cancers include primary site lung, pancreatic, thyroid and skin cancers, as well as male and female reproductive cancers.
The reforms bring NSW into line with other states, while also making it the first state to recognise two female reproductive cancers — vulval and vaginal — as presumptive cancers for firefighters.
Under the Workers Compensation Act 1987, qualifying firefighters are already presumed eligible if diagnosed with other cancers including leukaemia, brain, bladder, kidney, breast, testicular and prostate cancers, as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
All firefighters must serve minimum qualifying periods to be entitled to the presumption. An expert panel will be established to assess claims for volunteer firefighters, ensuring they meet the requirement of regular frontline firefighting work.
The changes will apply to both paid and volunteer firefighters with the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire + Rescue NSW, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry Corporation and other state agencies.
The NSW Government said the reforms are part of its ongoing efforts to deliver fairness and equity for first responders who face serious health risks in the line of duty.
