EWI

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Medico-Legal Services

Impairment Assessments

Whole person impairment evaluations using AMA Guides, GEPIC, and state-based frameworks. Accredited assessors for workers' compensation, CTP, and personal injury claims across every Australian jurisdiction.

Overview

What Is a Whole Person Impairment Assessment?

A whole person impairment (WPI) assessment is a formal medical evaluation that measures the degree of permanent impairment resulting from an injury or condition. The assessment is expressed as a percentage and conducted using standardised methodologies such as the AMA Guides.

WPI assessments determine eligibility for compensation entitlements, common law damage thresholds, and lump sum payments. Different Australian jurisdictions require different editions of the AMA Guides and apply specific modifications.

Frameworks

Impairment Frameworks

01

AMA Guides 4th Edition

Used in NSW (workers' compensation under SIRA), South Australia, and other jurisdictions.

NSW Workers CompSouth AustraliaTasmania
02

AMA Guides 5th Edition

Applied in NSW (CTP), Victoria, Queensland, and other jurisdictions with updated methodologies.

NSW CTPVictoriaQueenslandWA
03

GEPIC

Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment in NSW CTP claims, based on AMA 5.

NSW CTP
04

GEPI (Victoria)

Guide to the Evaluation of Psychiatric Impairment for Victorian workers' compensation and TAC claims.

Victoria WorkSafeTAC

Assessment Types

Types of Assessment

Whole Person Impairment (WPI)

Formal assessment of permanent impairment expressed as a percentage. Used to determine threshold eligibility for common law damages and lump sum compensation.

Permanent Impairment Assessment

Evaluation of whether an injury has reached maximum medical improvement and the resulting permanent impairment for claim resolution.

Psychiatric Impairment Assessment

Specialist psychiatric assessment using PIRS (Psychiatric Impairment Rating Scale) or relevant state-based methodology.

Multiple Injury Assessment

Combined assessment across multiple body systems using the Combined Values Chart methodology for complex multi-injury claims.

Threshold Assessment

Assessment to determine whether a claimant meets the impairment threshold required to access common law damages or additional compensation.

Reassessment / Review

Reassessment where a condition has deteriorated, new evidence is available, or a prior assessment is disputed.

Jurisdiction Coverage

NSW

  • SIRA Workers Comp (AMA 4)
  • CTP / GEPIC (AMA 5)
  • icare

Victoria

  • WorkSafe (AMA 5)
  • TAC (AMA 5)
  • GEPI (Psychiatric)

Queensland

  • WorkCover (AMA 5)
  • CTP (AMA 5)

Western Australia

  • WorkCover WA (AMA 5)
  • ICWA (AMA 5)

South Australia

  • ReturnToWorkSA (AMA 4)
  • CTP (AMA 5)

National

  • Comcare (AMA 5)
  • Military / DVA
  • Superannuation / TPD

Process

Assessment Process

01

Matter Submitted

Provide claim details, jurisdiction, scheme, and the impairment framework required.

02

Assessor Matched

EWI matches your matter to an accredited impairment assessor with the relevant qualifications.

03

Assessment Conducted

Structured clinical assessment following the applicable impairment framework methodology.

04

WPI Calculated

Impairment ratings calculated using the relevant tables, combined values, and rounding rules.

05

Report Delivered

Quality-assured impairment report delivered with clear WPI rating and methodology explanation.

Standards

Assessment Quality

  • Assessors trained and accredited in the relevant AMA Guides edition
  • Compliance with jurisdiction-specific guidelines and modifications
  • Transparent calculation methodology with table references
  • Combined Values Chart correctly applied for multi-system injuries
  • Quality review of all impairment calculations before delivery
  • Reports structured for use in dispute resolution and court proceedings
Accredited Assessors

All EWI impairment assessors hold the required accreditation for their jurisdiction and undertake ongoing professional development in impairment assessment methodology.

View Our Standards

Get Started

Need an Impairment Assessment?

Submit your matter details, including the jurisdiction and scheme, and we'll match you with the right accredited assessor.

Request Assessment