WorkCover Queensland average premium rate rises for 2024–2025

WorkCover Queensland operates as a government-owned, fully self-funded scheme. It supports nine in 10 Queenslanders injured at work to return to work following an injury.

In 2022–2023, WorkCover supported Queensland employers through more than 68,000 accepted statutory claims and 3,200 common law claims. Mental injury claims increased by 28 per cent compared with the previous year, while time-lost claim benefits rose by 9 per cent. Similar trends across other jurisdictions are putting cost pressure on workers’ compensation schemes nationally.

Acting CEO David Heley said decisions to increase the average premium rate were considered carefully, particularly given cost-of-living pressures. He said WorkCover needed to balance the needs of workers and employers with the scheme’s long-term viability.

Mr Heley said WorkCover had used investment reserves to subsidise more than $2.5 billion in premiums over the past 10 years. "Small, incremental changes to our average premium rate are the best way to ensure customers are not faced with a sudden dramatic increase to their WorkCover premium in the future."

Individual employers’ premium rates depend on their wages, their own claims performance and the claims performance of their industry. Employers can access information about how premiums are calculated and steps they can take to reduce them. WorkCover Connect also allows Queensland businesses to compare their claims performance with their industry.

The 2024–2025 WorkCover Industry Classifications are due to be gazetted in the coming days.

Employers can renew their Accident Insurance policy between 1 July and 30 September by declaring their wages and paying their premium.

How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas that may need attention. Take the free WHS self-check