Legislation

The Dust Diseases Board's statutory function is to administer the Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942-67.

The Board is subject to the direction of the Minister Assisting the Minister for Finance, through whom it reports annually to the New South Wales Parliament.

The Board has exclusive jurisdiction to determine all matters in respect of a claim for compensation including questions of identity, dependency and fact of disablement and whether an award should be made.  The Act does not allow legal representation before the Board.

A worker or dependant of a deceased worker affected by a decision of the Board in relation to a claim for compensation under the Act may appeal against the decision to the District Court of New South Wales.

Under the Act, the Board is required to:

• Determine eligibility and award compensation to workers and dependants of deceased workers
• Administer the Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Board Fund and pay all monies for compensation awards and costs of administering the Act including operating expenses of the Dust Diseases Tribunal
• Administer the trust funds held on behalf of dependants of deceased workers

Services

The Board's compensation screening facilities are located on level 7, 82 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.  The Board's diagnostic equipment is the same standard as that available at leading hospitals.  The service includes a clinical examination by a respiratory physician who is generally able to provide an indication as to whether a dust disease has developed.  The whole process of X-rays, lung function tests and clinical examination