WorkCover's Bonus/Penalty Scheme considers the claims experience of individual employers and, for many, provides lower levy rates.
Employers who maintain lower claims costs by putting safe work practices in place and providing suitable employment for injured worker may achieve lower levy rates.
Criteria
To be automatically included in the scheme, two complete financial years of claims experience is required. Often this will depend upon the commencement date and size of the business.
Be aware that if you acquire a new business or carry on an existing business you inherit the claims history of the previous owner. This means your levy rate may be affected by the claims costs of a previous employer. Changes to employer registration will be examined for application of succession rules.
Return to work
Injured workers are protected from dismissal by their employer under the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986. WorkCover imposes a supplementary levy on employers for failing to retain or re-employ injured workers. Contact us to make an enquiry if you have any questions regarding this issue.
A brochure on the Bonus Penalty Scheme is available for download: