Eligibility to apply for self-insurance

Eligibility to apply to be a self-insurer

Before an employer can apply for self-insurance, they must first request an eligibility assessment. If WorkSafe finds them to be an eligible employer, they can then apply.

WorkSafe’s eligibility assessment determines if an employer:

• is a body corporate
• is not a subsidiary of another body corporate
• can and would be able to meet its claim liabilities.

WorkSafe assesses self-insurance eligibility in line with subsection 375 of the Workplace Injury and Rehabilitation Compensation Act 2013 (WIRC Act).

Requesting and submitting an eligibility assessment

Employers should first read the ‘Self-insurance eligibility assessment guideline’ and Part 8 of the WIRC Act. They then can request the assessment documents by emailing [email protected].

Employers will need to complete the ‘Self-insurance eligibility assessment request form and schedules’ and submit their documentation to WorkSafe.

Eligibility assessment fee

WorkSafe will invoice employers the assessment fee after receiving their assessment documentation.

The current fee as of 1 July 2025 is $1,280 (inclusive of GST, and subject to indexation).

How WorkSafe assesses eligibility

Section 375 of the WIRC Act outlines the criteria used to assess eligibility. WorkSafe uses a combination of approaches to meet the criteria, including the following.

• Assessment of corporate and financial documentation.
• Assessment of claims liabilities.
• Interviews/discussions with employer representatives.
• Assessment of performance against financial indicators and industry benchmarks.

Eligibility assessment timeframe

WorkSafe aims to determine an outcome within 3 months of receiving a completed request for an eligibility assessment. However, the actual duration depends on factors that may arise during the assessment.

Assessment outcomes

WorkSafe will discuss the outcome of an eligibility assessment with the employer. The outcome will determine that an employer is either eligible or not eligible to apply for self-insurance.

If WorkSafe assesses an employer to be eligible, they can then make an application for approval as a self-insurer. They must apply within 12 months from the date WorkSafe declares them eligible.

Extension of the eligibility period

WorkSafe will not consider applications for approval after the 12-month period unless it grants an extension of eligibility.

WorkSafe will only consider a request for an extension in the event of a corporate restructure.

Further information

To contact WorkSafe about self-insurance, email [email protected]