As an employer, you are responsible for protecting your employees from work-related injuries. You must familiarise yourself with your duties and obligations if an employee gets injured on the job. WorkCover helps businesses provide that fundamental safety net should anything happen at work. In this guide, we’ll outline your WorkCover obligations as an employer in Victoria.
WorkCover in Victoria
WorkCover insurance, regulated by WorkSafe Victoria, covers your business and your employees in the case of work-related injuries. This includes workers’ compensation to cover wages and benefits while employees cannot work due to medical reasons.
In Victoria, you are required to register for WorkCover insurance if your business employs workers. However, there are exemptions to this. WorkCover is not obligatory for companies that pay remuneration lower than $7,500 in a financial year. Sole traders and companies who perform all the contract work for a single client are also exempt from WorkCover.
You will pay insurance fees and premiums based on your business operations and industry. Some companies, like construction and manufacturing enterprises, may pay more due to their industries’ safety history. As a Victoria-based employer, you are required to know your insurance premiums and parameters.
What are My WorkCover Obligations as an Employer?
You are required to fulfil several WorkCover obligations if you run a business in Victoria. As an employer, you must:
- Register for WorkCover insurance (unless you are exempt).
- Create a safe work environment to the best of their abilities.
- Notify WorkSafe whenever you change your business operations or premises.
- Display notices in the workplace on how to make a claim.
- Make available a register of employee workplace injury history.
- Ensure all details regarding employee payments, wages, and benefits are up to date.
- Pay insurance premiums by the correct deadlines.
- Determine whether you are covered by your WorkCover insurance before employing contractors.
If you do not perform these duties, you will be asked to pay fines or accept further penalties.
Stay on Track with Expert Tax Consultants
You may take every possible measure to prevent workplace injuries to your employees, but accidents can still happen. That’s why it’s important to know your legal obligations as an employer in Victoria.
Glance Consultants can help you keep track of your WorkCover obligations. We provide expert accounting services to ensure you handle workplace injuries with respect, dignity, and full legal compliance. Contact us today to learn more about your WorkCover obligations in Victoria.
