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Workers Compensation Employer Insurance — New Employer Registration

Time-sensitive
VICNSWQLDWASATASACTNT

The mandatory registration process all Australian employers must complete with their state or territory workers compensation authority to obtain employer insurance cover before or shortly after hiring their first employee.

Issuing authority

WorkSafe Victoria / SafeWork NSW / WorkCover QLD / ReturnToWork SA / WorkCover WA / WorkSafe ACT / NT WorkSafe / WorkSafe Tasmania

Official source

worksafe.vic.gov.au

Cost

Free to register; premiums vary by state, industry, and wages — calculated after registration

Deadline

Before first employee starts (QLD, WA); within 5 business days (NSW); within 14 days (SA); within 60 days of meeting wage threshold of $7,500 (VIC)

How to apply

  1. Determine whether you are an employer for workers compensation purposes — this includes casual, part-time, and seasonal workers, not just full-time employees.
  2. Identify the relevant authority for each state/territory where you employ workers: VIC — WorkSafe Victoria (worksafe.vic.gov.au); NSW — icare (icare.nsw.gov.au); QLD — WorkCover Queensland (workcoverqld.com.au); WA — WorkCover WA (workcover.wa.gov.au); SA — ReturnToWork SA (rtwsa.com); TAS — WorkSafe Tasmania (worksafe.tas.gov.au); ACT — WorkSafe ACT (worksafe.act.gov.au); NT — NT WorkSafe (worksafe.nt.gov.au).
  3. Register before your first employee starts, or within the state-specific grace period: VIC — within 60 days of first meeting eligibility (i.e. paying $7,500+ in wages); NSW — within 5 business days of engaging first worker; SA — within 14 days of employing.
  4. For Victoria, register online via WorkSafe's Online Employer Services portal at worksafe.vic.gov.au, or complete a paper registration form and post it to a WorkSafe agent.
  5. Provide your business details, ABN, industry classification, estimated annual wages/remuneration, and information about your workforce.
  6. Receive your policy details, login credentials, and premium calculation from your WorkSafe agent or insurer.
  7. Pay your workers compensation premium — premiums are calculated annually based on your industry, wages, and claims history.
  8. Review and update your registration details annually and notify your insurer of significant changes in wages or workforce size.
  9. If you disagree with your premium, you have the right to request a review — contact your WorkSafe agent within the specified timeframe.

Related topics

workers compensation registrationWorkCover employer registrationWorkSafe new employeremployer workers compensation insurancenew employer WorkCoverworkers comp policy Australiaregister for WorkCoverwork injury insurance registrationemployer insurance obligationworkers compensation premiumicare NSW employer registrationReturnToWork SA registrationWorkCover QLD registrationmandatory employer insurance

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