New diseases to be considered for compo

Tuberculosis, hepatitis A, B and C as well as some cancers are among a range of diseases recommended for inclusion under worker compensation laws.

A list of 84 workplace-related diseases, compiled by Safe Work Australia, will be considered by states and territories.

They also include noise-induced hearing loss, asbestosis, as well as various skin diseases.

Most jurisdictions in Australia have a Deemed Diseases List as part of their compensation system, which reverses the onus of proof.

Workers who have been exposed to these causes at work are assumed to have developed the diseases there, unless there is strong evidence to the contrary.

Federal Employment Minister Eric Abetz, who released the list on Monday, said the commonwealth's workers compensation scheme had not been updated since the introduction of laws in 1988.

Some states were relying on international standards going back to 1934, he said.

SOME DISEASES SAFE WORK RECOMMENDS TO INCLUDE:

* Anthrax

* Hepatitis A, B and C

* HIV/AIDS

* Tuberculosis.

* Some cancers

* Parkinson's Disease

* Noise induced hearing loss

* Contact dermatitis

* Raynaud's disease

(Source: Safe Work Australia)