Western Australian firefighters have been granted the presumption of work-related posttraumatic stress disorder in workers’ compensation claims.

If a formal PTSD diagnosis is made by a psychiatrist, the onus will shift to the employer or insurer to prove that the condition isn’t related to work.

United Professional Firefighters Union president Clem Chan told Perth Live this is a “significant” event.

It will allow the process to be expedited and allows our firefighters… to gain access to the appropriate support quickly when it is most needed,” said Mr Chan.

Press PLAY below to hear why these changes are a long time coming

“Today’s announcement means that our firefighters will no longer have to provide evidence that their PTSD was caused by the job.”