Your WorkSafe insurance obligations

You are required to:

  • If you expect to  pay more than $7,500 a year in rateable remuneration, or if you have any  apprentices or trainees, you must take out a WorkSafe insurance policy. This applies even if you are a small company with only one worker.
  • If you employ apprentices or trainees, you must have a WorkSafe insurance policy regardless of your annual payroll.

 

As part of holding a WorkSafe Insurance policy you have obligations to:

  • Notify your WorkSafe Agent of workplace or business activity changes (these changes can  affect your classification and premium).
  • Notify your WorkSafe Agent if the address of your workplace changes or if you change your legal business operating name.
  • Check your annual estimate of remuneration (and, if you have any claims, your claims statement) sent to you by your WorkSafe Agent before the calculation of your premium each year.
  • Notify your WorkSafe Agent within 28 days if your remuneration increases or is likely to increase by 20%  or more, above your last estimate of remuneration for the financial year.
  • Certify your remuneration at the end of each financial year by the due date.
  • Pay your premium by the due date shown on your invoice.

Meeting your obligations & managing your policy

All WorkSafe insurance policy holders are provided with a user name and password to access Online  employer services. Online employer services allows you to manage you policy and meet your policy obligations online.

More information on managing  your policy can be found at Manage Your WorkSafe Insurance Policy.

Penalties

If you fail to take out WorkSafe insurance, and one of your workers suffers an injury at work, WorkSafe may still pay compensation. However, the  cost of compensation provided to your worker will be recovered from you and you may also face a significant fine. The penalties are outlined in WorkSafe's premium rulings.

Penalties may also apply if you underestimate your rateable remuneration.

If you have information about an employer you suspect is not meeting their insurance obligations, please email premium_information@worksafe.vic.gov.au