The High Court has recently clarified the application of the reasonable administrative action exclusion for workers’ compensation claims under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) (SRCA).

The SCRA excludes liability to compensate an employee for an injury or condition suffered as a result of reasonable administrative action taken in a reasonable manner.  Reasonable administrative action includes reasonable performance appraisals, disciplinary action and actions done in connection with an employee’s failure to obtain a promotion or benefit, or to retain a benefit.

In Comcare v Martin [2016] HCA 43, the High Court examined the causal connection required between the condition suffered and the reasonable administrative action.