WorkCover Queensland's Accident Insurance Policy is designed to provide coverage for both you and your workers in the event of work-related injuries or illnesses.

As an employer in Queensland, it's a mandatory requirement to insure your workers against work-related injuries or illnesses. If you're not a self-insurer, obtaining a policy with WorkCover is necessary.

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What's included?

This policy provides coverage when one of your workers undergoes a work-related injury or illness, necessitating a workers' compensation claim. It encompasses both no-fault statutory claims and damages (at-fault) claims. Further details about these types of claim costs can be found in the following sections.

Who qualifies?

The policy extends coverage to any workers you employ, as defined in the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003. It applies exclusively to workers employed by your business. Individuals hired to render services from another business are covered by their respective employer.

If you're a sole trader, a director or partner in your own business, or employed by a Trust where you serve as a trustee, you aren't classified as a worker. Consequently, you aren't covered by your accident insurance policy. While optional, you can opt for Workplace Personal Injury Insurance to cover yourself.

Will there be an excess? An excess is applicable if:

• Your worker takes time off due to their injury.
• Your worker's claim is accepted, resulting in them receiving weekly compensation.

In a WorkCover claim, you are required to pay the excess to your injured worker as their initial weekly compensation installment. The specific amount will be communicated to you, calculated based on the worker's normal weekly earnings or award. The excess must be remitted within 10 business days of notification. Failure to comply will prompt us to pay the worker on your behalf, recovering the excess and any penalties per section 66(6) of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.

The excess will be the lesser of:

• 100% of Queensland full-time adult's ordinary time earnings (QOTE).
• The worker's weekly compensation (usually 100% of the award or 85% of normal weekly earnings, whichever is greater). Further details can be found in the guide on Calculating employer excess (PDF, 2.13 MB).