Icare Workers Compensation Insurance in New South Wales

According to Safe Work Australia, there are 107,355 serious claims lodged in the 2014-15 financial year. This shows how important workers compensation insurance is in ensuring that your company will always operate smoothly and prevent any unpredictable damages from happening.

Workers compensation insurance assures that your organisation is covered for the costs that might follow a workplace-related injury or disease. The Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1988 (NSW) also regulates workers compensation insurance in NSW. Under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), all employers in NSW (except exempt employers) must have a worker’s compensation policy.

If you don’t have one, your business may be fined or penalised up to $55,000 and/or six months’ imprisonment.

icare NSW Workers Compensation Insurance

icare was formed in September 2015 through the commencement of the State Insurance and Care Governance Act.

This Act also enabled the creation of two other government organisations to promote a simple, efficient and engaging experience for the people of NSW:

• State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA): an independent insurance regulator
• SafeWork NSW: an independent workplace safety regulator

In NSW, icare insure more than 284,000 NSW employers and their 3.4 million employees. With more than $32 billion in assets, they are one of the largest insurance providers in Australia.

What is covered?

Workers Compensation Insurance will protect your business against the cost of supporting your injured worker and may include:

• weekly compensation benefits
• medical and hospital expenses
• rehabilitation services
• certain personal items (e.g. clothing or spectacles, if damaged in a work-related accident)
• lump sum payment for death or permanent impairment.

Duration of Policy

All policies are renewed for 12 months unless you request a shorter term. If you’re a small employer, the first period of insurance will run for 11 to 12 months from the day you take out the policy. This is because the policy must align with the end of a month.

Remember

As a policy holder, it’s your responsibility to meet specific employer obligations when an incident occurs. If a staff member covered by your policy informs you of a work-related injury or illness, you have an obligation to let us know within 48 hours.

You also need to:

• provide first aid and make sure your worker gets the right care in a timely manner
• record the incident in your register of injuries.
• help your worker to recover at work.

Exempt Employers

All NSW employers require workers insurance to protect their people and business against workplace injury or illness unless they are otherwise exempt. Exempt employers are not required to hold a workers insurance policy. Exempt employers:

• pay $7,500 or less in annual wages,
• don’t employ an apprentice or trainee; and
• are not a member of a group for premium purposes

Arranging Insurance Cover

To arrange cover, you can contact Icare directly on 13 44 22 or apply online here. If you require our assistance or advice, please contact us on 1300 739 861.