Summary

The Australian WorkCover scheme compensates employees for time off work due to work-related injuries. WorkCover also covers medical expenses for work-related injuries.

In Australia, each state has a WorkCover Authority that is governed by state-specific legislation. Each WorkCover Authority has unique employee claim forms, employer claim forms, and medical certificates. Each state also has unique legislation to govern the calculation of WorkCover payments.

Australian organisations can have different WorkCover policies for each workplace location to calculate specific WorkCover levies (insurance premiums).

WorkCover levies are based on a percentage of earnings for a particular workplace. The formula used to calculate this percentage uses the following values:

• Industry average of WorkCover claims for similar types of workplace.
• The history of WorkCover claims in that workplace location.