Using My Overtime’s NSW Illustration: What It Shows and Leaves Out
By My Overtime · Published 18 October 2026
A reduction in earnings can raise important questions. However, the difference between what you earned before and what you earn now is not automatically the amount someone owes you.
My Overtime separates a straightforward earnings comparison from a limited NSW illustration. Understanding that distinction helps you use the figures appropriately.
Two measures with different purposes
The earnings comparison subtracts your current gross weekly earnings from your earlier gross weekly earnings.
For example, $1,500 before minus $1,000 during gives a $500 weekly difference. That describes a change in earnings. It does not establish an underpayment or compensation entitlement.
The separate NSW illustration demonstrates a restricted calculation using a specified earnings basis, a 95% assumption and current gross weekly earnings.
What official NSW guidance says
SIRA explains that weekly payments depend on several factors, including pre-injury average weekly earnings, work capacity and the period of payments. The insurer calculates pre-injury average weekly earnings using information from the worker and/or employer.
Official guidance also includes maximum payment limits and different arrangements for particular circumstances.
My Overtime does not reproduce the complete statutory assessment. Its illustration should be read alongside the official sources listed below.
What you need before using the illustration
The tool asks you to confirm the scenario and provide relevant information. This includes:
- NSW as the relevant state.
- Gross, before-tax amounts.
- The injury date and supported scenario confirmations.
- A period within the first entitlement period of up to 13 weeks.
- Current gross weekly earnings, including an explicit zero where appropriate.
- Either an insurer-confirmed PIAWE figure or the information required for the restricted 52-week averaging option.
PIAWE means pre-injury average weekly earnings.
The self-entered averaging option divides relevant gross earnings over a confirmed, unadjusted 52-week period by 52. It is an illustrative average, not insurer-approved PIAWE.
That option is restricted to injuries on or after 21 October 2019. Earlier injuries require the supported insurer-confirmed route and the other confirmations; entering an older date does not itself establish that the illustration applies.
If you are unsure about a required confirmation, select the unsure option rather than guessing.
A fictional worked example
Assume the supported scenario applies and these inputs remain constant:
| Input | Example amount |
|---|---|
| Confirmed relevant earnings over a full, unadjusted 52 weeks | $78,000 |
| Illustrative weekly average: $78,000 ÷ 52 | $1,500 |
| Current gross weekly earnings | $1,000 |
| Illustrated period | 10 weeks |
The illustration works through these steps:
- $1,500 × 95% = $1,425.
- $1,425 − $1,000 = $425 per week.
- $425 × 10 weeks = $4,250.
The $4,250 is not an unpaid balance or a finding that this amount is owed. Compensation already received has not been deducted.
This example assumes the same earnings basis and current earnings throughout all 10 weeks. If either changes, multiplying one weekly figure across the whole period may misrepresent the situation.
The tool does not infer the illustrated weeks from your incident dates.
What the illustration leaves out
The illustration does not apply statutory caps, deductible amounts, indexation or every adjustment affecting a claim.
It also does not cover later entitlement periods, exempt-worker arrangements or other special claim situations. It withholds figures for unsupported or uncertain answers, including the specified interim-payment scenario and cases where assessed earning capacity differs from the actual earnings entered.
An excluded result does not mean you have no entitlement. It means this tool cannot illustrate your circumstances.
Likewise, a displayed result does not confirm eligibility, claim acceptance or the correct legal payment amount.
Why it stops at the first period
The illustration is deliberately limited to the supported first-period scenario.
It does not automatically apply an 80% rate after week 13. Later-period rules require additional considerations that this tool does not assess.
For another state or territory, the ordinary earnings comparison remains available, but the NSW illustration is not provided. Do not use its percentage or output as a substitute for that jurisdiction’s rules.
How to use the result constructively
Keep your inputs and supporting records together. Use the result to organise questions, such as:
- Is my PIAWE figure confirmed and current?
- Which earnings and adjustments were included?
- Does the insurer use an assessed earning-capacity figure?
- What payments have already been made?
- Which limits or special rules affect my circumstances?
Seek an explanation from your insurer or assistance from a suitable adviser when you need an individual assessment.
You can start with the My Overtime calculator. Read its current notices and answer the confirmation questions carefully.
This is a limited educational example, not legal advice, an insurer decision or a complete compensation calculation. Results can differ between individuals, states and schemes. Official guidance and legislation may change. Source links do not imply SIRA endorsement of My Overtime.