Workers’ compensation is a system of compulsory insurance for all employers in Australia.

Workers compensation provides protection to workers and their employers in the event of a work related injury or disease. Through the workers compensation system injured workers may have an entitlement to weekly payments, lump sums for permanent impairment (and pain and suffering where applicable), payment of medical bills, provision of legal assistance to pursue a claim and intensive rehabilitation assistance.

Businesses must be covered for workers’ compensation insurance if they pay more than $7,500 in wages, employ an apprentice or trainee, or are part of a group for premium purposes.

The amount of workers’ compensation premiums payable is calculated on the basis of salary/wages paid, but the rates vary depending on the industry a business operates in and claims history of the business.

Owners and operators of businesses with 20 workers or less are required to identify foreseeable workplace hazards, assess the risk of harm from those hazards and eliminate or control the risks.

Most insurers provide information about workers’ compensation products on websites or they can be contacted direct for advice and quotes.

WorkCover regulates and manages the workers compensation system. WorkCover's primary objective is to work in partnership with the community to achieve safe workplaces, effective return to work and security for injured workers.

WorkCover also has an online Premium Estimator to enable employers to estimate their workers compensation premium.

For more information on workers’ compensation and employers’ responsibilities, call the WorkCover Assistance Service on 13 10 50 or visit the WorkCover website.

Your local Business Advisory Service can also offer one-on-one advice on workers’ compensation issues.