Firefighter cancer claims & presumptive rights

5 min read

Volunteer firefighters and vehicle & equipment maintenance workers who meet certain requirements may be eligible for compensation for specified cancers under presumptive rights legislation.

Summary

Information about presumptive rights compensation for eligible CFA volunteers
Eligibility requirements for cancer-related compensation claims
How volunteer cancer claims are assessed and reviewed
Where to find support, fact sheets and further claim information
Information about alternative volunteer compensation claim pathways

Presumptive Rights Compensation

Presumptive rights means that in certain circumstances a volunteer firefighter or vehicle and equipment maintenance worker with a specified type of cancer has an entitlement to compensation. This is because the specified cancer is presumed to be due to the nature of their volunteer or employment activities. The presumptive right applies unless there is information which proves otherwise.

Volunteer Firefighters

To be eligible for compensation under presumptive rights, the following qualifying criteria must be met:

Diagnosed with one of the 15 specified cancers covered by the presumptive legislation on or after June 1, 2016
Served as an operational firefighter for the qualifying period relevant to the specified cancer
Diagnosed within 10 years of active service (or during active service)

If the qualifying criteria has been met, the claim will be sent to the Presumptive Rights Advisory Committee (The Committee) – an independent body set up under the legislation specifically to assess these claims.

The Committee will provide an expert opinion to CFA’s agent Gallagher Bassett about whether the claimant has satisfied the legislated requirements for attendance at fires. The Committee must consider:

Any relevant records provided by CFA
Any other matter prescribed in the legislation

Gallagher Bassett will consider the advice of The Committee when determining the claim.

Volunteer Cancer claims information

Volunteer firefighters whose claims are rejected under Presumptive Rights or are not diagnosed with a prescribed cancer may lodge a volunteer compensation claim directly with CFA.

Any claim made to the Volunteer Compensation Scheme will be assessed in accordance with CFA’s usual processes.

CFA Members can obtain information via email at injrecgeneralenq@cfa.vic.gov.au.