The 'Date Stable' for an impairment is the date when the impairment has stabilised, i.e. there is unlikely to be any further change in the condition, whether a deterioration or an improvement. The 'Date Stable' must be distinguished from two other crucial dates:
- Date of Injury: The date of injury is the key date for determination of liability for compensation under the Commonwealth workers' compensation schemes.
- Date of Permanent Impairment: This date refers to when the impairment became permanent (i.e. 'likely to continue indefinitely') and establishes which Act (the SRCA, the 1971 Act or the 1930 Act) is to apply in determining entitlement to compensation for permanent impairment. The relevant dates are 1 December 1988 (commencement of the SRCA) and 1 September 1971 (commencement of the 1971 Act).
Whether an impairment is 'stable' is relevant in which type of compensation is appropriate for permanent impairment.
If a permanent impairment covered by the 1988 Act is not yet stable, but is at least 10% WPI, the client is entitled to request an interim payment of compensation under S25 of the Act. R&C ISH will automatically calculate any entitlement as an interim payment under S25 if there is an impairment which is not yet stable but is otherwise eligible for payment. A request for a final payment under S24 must be made at a later date when the impairment has fully stabilised.