Quick answer
Section 29 of the SRC Act 1988 compensates household services and attendant care services an employee reasonably requires as a result of a non-catastrophic injury. Each limb carries its own weekly cap and its own list of mandatory considerations. Catastrophic injury is dealt with separately under section 29A.
This page is an educational summary for professionals working with AI. It is not the law and not legal advice. Always work from the current authoritative text linked below.
Section 29 compensates two distinct things an employee reasonably requires as a result of an injury other than a catastrophic injury: household services under subsection 29(1) and attendant care services under subsection 29(3). Each limb has its own weekly maximum and its own list of matters Comcare must have regard to, in subsections 29(2) and 29(4). Subsection 29(6) directs payment to the employee where the employee has paid, and otherwise to the person who provided the services. Read the current compilation on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Subsections 29(1) and 29(3) name Comcare. Under Part VIII a self-insured licensee authorised to accept liability stands in Comcare's place for its own employees.
Two things. First, treating section 29 as the whole household services regime: it is the non-catastrophic branch, and catastrophic injury has its own provision in section 29A. Second, applying the 28-day exclusion too widely. Subsection 29(5) removes liability only for household services under subsection 29(1), not for attendant care under subsection 29(3), and Comcare may lift it for financial hardship or adequate supervision of dependent children.
The mandatory considerations in subsections 29(2) and 29(4) are an evidence-gathering task before they are a decision, which is where AI assistance belongs. See the section 29 AI household services evidence map and the wider SRC Act framing.
Two limbs, two caps, two lists of mandatory considerations, and a 28-day rule that reaches only one of them. Check first that the injury is not catastrophic, because that sends you to section 29A instead.
TheAICommand. Intelligence, At Your Command.
Frequently asked questions
- Does section 29 cover every injury?
- No. Section 29 is expressly confined to services obtained as a result of an injury other than a catastrophic injury. Both subsection 29(1) and subsection 29(3) carry that limitation on their face. Services obtained as a result of a catastrophic injury are dealt with separately under section 29A, which is a different provision with different mechanics.
- Does the 28-day exclusion apply to attendant care as well?
- No, and this is the most common error. Subsection 29(5) removes liability only for compensation under subsection 29(1), the household services limb, for any week within the 28 days beginning on the date of the injury. Attendant care under subsection 29(3) is not caught. The exclusion can also be lifted by Comcare on the ground of financial hardship or the need to provide for adequate supervision of dependent children.
- How is the household services amount set?
- Subsection 29(1) leaves the amount to what Comcare considers reasonable in the circumstances, but bounded at both ends. It must be not less than fifty per cent of the amount per week paid or payable by the employee for those services, and not more than the weekly maximum stated in the subsection.
- Are the dollar caps in section 29 current?
- No. Section 13 indexes the amounts in subsections 29(1) and 29(3) to the Consumer Price Index and lists both expressly as relevant amounts. The figures printed in the Act are base amounts, so take the current weekly caps from Comcare rather than from the face of the legislation.
Interactive tool
Assess your practice against the SRC Act
The WC Self-Assessment maps your practice capability across SRC Act knowledge, determination practice, claimant communication, rehabilitation, and AI leverage. 15-25 minutes, free, anonymous, with a personalised PDF report.
Start the WC Self-Assessment