Why use a 5% multiplier?

The 5% tables in Queensland legislation and case law express the present value of future lost income using a consistent method.

How does the calculator work?

Enter your weekly loss (after tax) and the years of loss. The calculator applies the 5% multiplier for that term and returns a lump sum estimate.

What are the limits of this estimate?

Figures are a guide only. Courts adjust for contingencies and vicissitudes, age and retirement, medical evidence about work capacity, superannuation and tax, legislative caps, and any global loss for reduced competitiveness in the labour market.

Do I need legal advice?

Yes. Use this tool as a starting point only and get tailored advice before relying on figures in negotiations or court.

Future Economic Loss Calculator QLD – 5% Weekly Earnings Multipliers

Q: What is future economic loss?

A reduction in a person’s ability to earn income because of an injury. In Queensland, damages are often calculated using statutory 5% discount rate multipliers applied to weekly loss of earnings. Courts may also allow a global future loss where there is no fixed weekly loss.

Q: Can I recover future superannuation too?

Most claimants can also claim loss of future employer superannuation contributions in addition to net lost earnings.

What is future economic loss?

Future economic loss is the reduction in a person’s ability to earn income because of an injury. In Queensland, damages are often calculated using statutory 5% discount rate multipliers applied to a person’s weekly loss of earnings. This represents the present value of future lost income, taking into account the fact that more can be done with a lump sum. Loss of future earnings can also be recovered on a “global” basis for claimants who are not suffering a fixed ongoing net weekly loss.

Why use a multiplier?

The 5% tables are set out under Queensland legislation and case law. They allow the courts to value future losses today.

For example:

Using multipliers ensures consistency and fairness across claims.

How the future economic loss calculator works

Enter your weekly loss of earnings (after tax).
Enter the number of years of loss (usually until retirement age).
The calculator applies the correct 5% multiplier for the chosen term and gives you a lump sum figure.
This provides an estimate only. Courts also apply discounts for the vicissitudes of life, such as, career changes, unemployment risk and health factors.
The calculator does not account for losses that may be allowed on a "global" basis, e.g. if you are not suffering an ongoing net weekly loss.

Future Economic Loss Calculator QLD – Weekly Earnings Multipliers (5%)

Weekly loss of earnings (after tax)

Years of loss

5% Weekly Multiplier

Future Economic Loss (weekly loss × multiplier)

$0.00

Enter your details to continue

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Disclaimer: This tool provides a general guide only and is not legal advice. Even if you are not suffering a weekly loss of wages, you may still be entitled to damages for future loss of earnings. Your economic loss will depend on a number of factors and proper legal assessment is critical. In addition to net loss of income, most claimants are entitled to loss of future employer superannuation contributions. For advice tailored to your circumstances, we strongly recommend that you contact us for a free initial consultation, to discuss your claim.

Important limitations

The calculator is a guide only. Actual compensation depends on:

Medical evidence about work capacity.
Age and likely retirement age.
Superannuation and taxation considerations.
Discounts for contingencies and the vicissitudes of life.
Whether there are legislative caps that apply to the loss of earnings.
Any global loss that may be recoverable for a general disadvantage in the open labour market.

Legal advice is essential before relying on figures in negotiations or court.

How courts and insurers assess claims

Courts and insurers don’t just rely on multipliers. They may:

Compare pre-injury and post-injury earnings.
Look at job history, qualifications, and prospects for promotion.
Assess loss of earnings with reference to a global sum, rather than a fixed weekly loss.
Adjust for partial capacity e.g. if you can work reduced hours.

This means your lawyers must present clear evidence, not only a calculation, to achieve the best result. To find out more read our Essential Guide to Economic Loss in Personal Injury Claims.

How we can help

At Denning Insurance Law, we specialise in personal injury compensation claims across Queensland. We can:

Analyse your work capacity evidence.
Calculate your past and future economic loss.
Negotiate with insurers for maximum recovery.
Advise on all of your common law and statutory entitlements in workers' compensation, CTP, and public liability claims.