Workers' compensation insurance
General advice only. It does not consider your business's objectives, financial situation or needs. Cover and benefits depend on the scheme or policy that applies in your state or territory.
Compulsory for most employers
- Who needs it
- Most employers in Australia, including many small businesses with only a few staff.
- Who sets the rules
- The state or territory where your staff work. Each runs its own system.
- What it pays for
- Benefits for workers injured or made ill by their work, set by the law in that state or territory.
How it works depends on where you are
Through a government scheme
In some states and territories, employers generally take out cover through a government scheme or the agents it appoints, rather than choosing a policy on the open market.
Through approved insurers
In the others, employers buy a policy from an insurer that is approved or licensed to offer workers' compensation in that state or territory.
Some large employers are permitted to self-insure, and some national employers are covered under a Commonwealth scheme. Your state or territory regulator can confirm what applies to you.
Because of this, we cannot arrange workers' compensation everywhere. Email us with where your staff work and we will tell you whether we can help, or where to go instead.
What it typically provides
Benefits are set by the law in each state or territory, not chosen by the employer. Depending on the scheme, they typically include:
- Weekly payments
- Income support for an injured worker who cannot work, or can only work reduced hours, while they recover.
- Medical and rehabilitation
- Reasonable medical, hospital and rehabilitation costs for a work-related injury or illness.
- Return to work support
- Help for the worker to return to suitable work. Employers are usually expected to take part.
- Other benefits
- Depending on the scheme, lump sums for permanent impairment and benefits for dependants if a worker dies.
What to put in your email
- The state or territory where your staff work
- How many employees you have, and their roles
- Your estimated annual wages
- Your current policy and renewal date, if you have one
- Any workers' compensation claims in recent years
Please do not include any employee's personal or medical details.
General advice only. It does not consider your business's objectives, financial situation or needs. Cover and benefits depend on the scheme or policy that applies in your state or territory.
Workers' compensation questions
Is workers' compensation insurance compulsory?
For most employers in Australia, yes. Each state and territory requires employers to hold workers' compensation cover for their workers, with some exceptions. Your state or territory regulator can confirm the rules for your business.
Do I need it if my staff are casual or part-time?
Generally, yes. Casual and part-time employees are usually treated as workers. The rules differ between states and territories, so check with your regulator if you are unsure.
Does workers' compensation cover contractors?
It depends. Some contractors are treated as workers under state or territory law and some are not, and the test varies between jurisdictions. Check how your contractors are classed before you arrange cover.
Is workers' compensation the same as public liability?
No. Workers' compensation is for your own workers' work-related injuries and illnesses. Public liability is for injury to other people, such as customers and visitors, or damage to their property. They are separate covers.
Can SSIA arrange workers' compensation in my state?
It depends on where your staff work. In some states and territories cover comes through a government scheme rather than a policy we can arrange. Email us with your details and we will tell you whether we can help.
Insuring the rest of your facility
Property, contents and business interruption are arranged through one business insurance application.
- Property insurance For the buildings and site your storage business runs from.
- Business contents insurance For your facility's own equipment, fit-out and office contents.
- Business interruption insurance For income lost when an insured event stops your facility trading.
- All facility business insurance Business insurance for self storage facility owners and operators.
Cover for the people who run your site.
General advice only. It does not consider your business's objectives, financial situation or needs. Cover and benefits depend on the scheme or policy that applies in your state or territory.