If you’re injured at work in NSW, depending on your whole person impairment (WPI) rating (also known as permanent impairment rating), you might be entitled to a permanent impairment payout up to a maximum of $757,760*.
When an injury causes permanent impairment, it can be incredibly stressful to come to terms with the long-term impact on your life and financial uncertainty. But a lump sum permanent impairment payment can be a lifeline. In this guide, updated in January 2026, we explain everything you need to know about permanent impairment payout amounts NSW, and we’ve included a simple whole person impairment compensation calculator you can use to estimate your lump sum payout range.
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*Updated January 2026.
A whole person impairment calculator is a table that summarises the permanent impairment payout amounts NSW according to your degree of permanent impairment, also known as your whole person impairment percentage. These payout ranges are published by SIRA and indexed annually, so the calculator provides a simple look-up table you can use to work out how much you can claim.
If your work has affected your mental health, it’s important to understand how upcoming changes to the NSW law may affect your rights.
From 1 July 2026, stricter requirements will apply to psychological injury claims. This means workers who may qualify under the current rules may not qualify once the new laws take effect. To learn more about what’s changing and what it could mean for you, read this page.
A whole person impairment payout is a lump sum payment to compensate you for the overall effect your work injury has had on your life. Understanding permanent impairment payout amounts NSW is crucial for planning your financial future after a workplace injury. This lump sum payout is in addition to any weekly payments, medical and related expenses that you may have received.
You must have 11% or more whole person impairment for a physical injury or 15% or more for a primary psychological injury to be entitled to receive a whole person impairment payout in NSW.
For emergency services workers, the threshold reduces to 1% for physical injuries but is still 15% for psychological injuries.
Once you’ve received a whole person impairment payout, it doesn’t put an end to any weekly benefits you’re entitled to – these payments will continue as long as you qualify for them.
If you know your WPI rating, you can jump straight to the whole person impairment calculator to find out how much you can claim. But before you start your claim, it’s important to get advice from a specialist workers compensation lawyer to make sure your injuries are assessed correctly, and you don’t miss out on any benefits.
It’s super-important to pursue a permanent impairment claim if you qualify. The length of time the insurer is required to pay for your treatment costs is dependent on your level of whole person impairment (WPI). If your level of WPI hasn’t been assessed, the insurer will pay for treatment for at least two years from the date of your injury or two years from the last date you received weekly benefits (whichever is later).
However, once your level of WPI is assessed, this entitlement will be extended according to the table below:
| Five years from the date of your injury or five years from the last date you received weekly benefits (whichever is later). | Entitlement period |
|---|---|
| 0-10% whole person impairment | Two years from the date of your injury or two years from the last date you received weekly benefits (whichever is the latter). |
| 11-20% whole person impairment | Five years from the date of your injury or five years from the last date you received weekly benefits (whichever is the later). |
| 21% whole person impairment and over | Lifetime coverage. |
0-20% – wages benefits capped at 5 years
21% plus – wages benefits entitlement continues to age 68
The whole person impairment (WPI) scale is a rating system used to measure the amount of permanent damage caused by your injuries. It’s based on the loss, or loss of use of any part of your body, or any part of your bodily system or function. Injuries that lead to whole person impairment can be physical or psychological.
Here are some examples of common injuries and surgical procedures, and the associated whole person impairment NSW ratings:
| Injury/ Procedure | Approximate Impairment Rating |
|---|---|
| A simple disc bulge in the lumbar spine | 5-8%. |
| A discectomy surgery of the lumbar spine | 10-16% |
| Hearing loss of at least 21% binaural hearing loss | 11% |
| A fusion surgery of the wrist | 18% |
| A fusion of the lumbar spine | 21% |
| A joint replacement to the shoulder, hip or knee | 21% |
| Amputation of the thumb | 22% |
| Loss of eyesight in one eye | 32% |
Once you know your impairment rating, you can calculate your payout range using the following whole person impairment table below.
Please note that your compensation amount will depend on the year your injury occurred, as well as your level of whole person impairment. Also, different amounts apply for dust diseases, emergency service workers and coal miners, but are not included in this whole person impairment table for NSW.
| Degree of permanent impairment | Compensation range |
| 0 – 10% | $0 |
| 11% – 20% | $22,480 – $64,250 |
| 21% – 30% | $51,880 – $102,850 |
| 31% – 40% | $83,040 – $166,180 |
| 41% – 50% | $131,440 – $229,680 |
| 51% – 60% | $242,010 – $405,790 |
| 61% – 70% | $376,030 – $581,760 |
| 71% – 74% | $510,040 – $669,750 |
| 75% – 100% | $577,050 – $757,760 |
Remember: Most workers need 11% WPI minimum for physical injuries, 15% for psychological injuries to qualify.
Source: SIRA Workers compensation benefits guide – updated January 2026
A specialist lawyer will review your circumstances and tell you how much you can claim.
Whole person impairment in NSW is calculated by a doctor who assesses your injuries according to the NSW Compensation Guidelines for Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.
The doctor can’t combine both physical and psychological injuries to determine your level of whole person impairment – your compensation is based on your primary injury only (physical or psychological). The doctor also considers your medical history and all available relevant medical information.
The doctor must be accredited as a SIRA-approved assessor, and your workers compensation lawyer will arrange your assessment directly with the doctor. If your WPI is expected to be 21% or more, the insurer is likely to pick their own doctor to do your assessment, as this level of impairment means you’re entitled to compensation for lost wages for five years.
The following permanent impairment table of injuries and procedures gives some examples:
| Injury/ Procedure | Description |
| Disc bulges | Also referred to as sciatica |
| Surgery | Such as joint replacement and spinal surgery |
| Hearing loss | Where the hearing loss is work-related |
| Ankle or wrist fusion | Fusion results in loss of joint mobility |
| Multiple injuries | Injuries that affect multiple body parts |
| Knee, elbow and shoulder injuries | Where range of movement is restricted |
| Eye injuries | Where eyesight is impacted |
| Nerve damage | Where the cause is work-related |
The whole person impairment psychological injury assessment is based on an examination done by a psychiatrist who is trained in this assessment method.
A psychiatric disorder is considered permanent if the psychiatrist determines it’s likely to continue indefinitely. The psychiatrist will consider:
For psychological injuries or conditions to reach the permanent impairment rating payout threshold, the condition needs to affect your concentration and your ability to work and care for yourself. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that often reaches this threshold.
The doctor who does your assessment will look at the following criteria:
After completing your assessment and answering these questions, the doctor will determine your whole person impairment percentage using the tables, graphs and methodology given in the guidelines.
MMI is when your condition has stabilised and is unlikely to change substantially in the next year, with or without medical treatment.* MMI must be reached before the doctor can evaluate your degree of permanent impairment, to confirm that the injury has resulted in a permanent condition.
*SIRA.gov.au, February 2026
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Get startedThe whole person impairment calculator provides a helpful estimate of your potential payout range based on your WPI percentage, but your actual compensation depends on several factors, including when your injury occurred and your specific circumstances. For an accurate assessment of your entitlements, it’s best to speak with a workers compensation lawyer who can review your individual situation and make sure you’re not missing out on any additional benefits you may be entitled to.
You can use the WPI calculator to get a general idea of potential compensation if you have an estimate of your likely impairment rating from your treating doctor, but the official assessment must be done by a SIRA-approved assessor. Your actual WPI percentage can only be determined after you’ve reached maximum medical improvement and undergone a formal assessment, so any calculator results before then are preliminary estimates only.
Each Australian state and territory has different workers compensation schemes with varying WPI thresholds, payout amounts, and calculation methods, so a calculator designed for NSW won’t give you accurate figures for other jurisdictions. For information on Victorian payout ranges, refer to our WorkCover Payout Guide for Victoria.
No, a WPI calculator only estimates your lump sum permanent impairment payout and doesn’t include weekly wage payments or medical and treatment costs you’re entitled to. Your total workers compensation benefits are made up of multiple components, and the lump sum is just one part of your overall entitlements, so it’s important to understand what else you may be eligible for beyond the permanent impairment payment.
Yes, but it’s important to understand that the calculator will only reflect compensation for your primary injury—either physical or psychological—because NSW law doesn’t allow combining both types of injuries to reach the WPI threshold. If you have multiple injuries, our workers compensation lawyers can help you understand which injury is likely to be assessed as primary and what that means for your overall entitlements.
While the WPI calculator shows your potential lump sum payout, it also indicates whether you’ll qualify for extended medical coverage, as workers with 21% WPI or more are entitled to lifetime treatment costs. Understanding your likely WPI percentage helps you plan for your ongoing care needs, but our lawyers can explain all the additional benefits that flow from your impairment rating beyond just the lump sum payment.
If the calculator result doesn’t seem to reflect the true impact of your injuries on your life, it’s worth speaking with a workers compensation lawyer who can review whether all your injuries and complications have been properly considered. Sometimes injuries lead to secondary conditions or there are aspects of your impairment that might not be immediately obvious, and an experienced lawyer can ensure nothing is overlooked when your formal assessment takes place.
The whole person impairment compensation calculator and permanent impairment payout amounts NSW guide we’ve presented here provides useful reference information. However, it’s important to understand that your situation is unique, and your injuries may have led to other health issues and complications. At Law Partners, we have some of Australia’s best no win no fee lawyers who will take time to get to know you personally and get a thorough understanding of how your life has been impacted by your injuries. That’s how we’ll make sure you receive your maximum compensation entitlements, including the full permanent impairment payout amounts NSW you’re entitled to.
Chantille Khoury
Partner
Chantille is a multi-award-winning, preeminent workers compensation specialist with over 20 years’ experience. Having ranked top 6 nationwide in the highest category of the Doyle’s Guide, Chantille is now providing feedback on policy changes for the Personal Injury Commission and IRO.
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