Workers compensation insurance - guide for employers - YouTube

Welcome to the Northern Territory Workers Compensation Scheme.

This short presentation will explain your workers compensation insurance obligations as an employer.

Including why you need workers compensation insurance

when you need to obtain a policy

and who you need to cover.

Workers compensation insurance reduces the impact on your business

of a work-related physical or mental injury including diseases.

Workers compensation insurance covers the costs of a claim

and managing an injured workers rehabilitation.

Compensation may include

weekly payments to cover loss of earnings.

lump sum payments if a worker is permanently impaired or incapacitated.

payment for medical and related expenses

and workplace rehabilitation to assist their return to work.

You may need to take out a workers compensation insurance policy

when you start a new business

buy an established business

or expand your business and engage workers.

Your insurer will provide you with confirmation of the policy of insurance or indemnity.

You need a workers compensation insurance policy

to cover all workers employed by you the employer.

A worker is an individual who performs work

or a service under contract

and is in relation to the contract

an employee for the purpose of assessment for PAYG withholding

under the Tax Administration Act.

Refer to the Australian Taxation Office employees slash contractor decision tool

for guidance on whether your workers are employees or contractors.

Working directors and family members may also be covered if they are declared on the policy

this needs to be discussed with your insurer.

NT WorkSafe Inspectors may visit workplaces across the Northern Territory

to check you have a current workers compensation policy.

If you don't have a current policy

you could incur penalties

and an uninsured employer will be responsible to pay the significant costs of the claim

which can be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

You must take out a policy with an approved insurer.

In most cases insurance is arranged through an insurance broker.

For more information about approved insurers

go to the NT WorkSafe website.

The approved insurers set the insurance premium rate

and will calculate your insurance premium

based on the rate they determined for your industry.

You'll also need to provide your insurer with information on the remuneration your business pays

this will also look at your workplace safety systems

and previous claims history to determine your workers compensation premium.

As an employer your claims obligations include

sending the claim form to your insurer within three working days of receiving it from an injured worker

making payments to the injured worker as directed by the insurer.

As an employer your return to work obligations include

ensuring that suitable employment is provided to the worker

in accordance with the fitness for work medical certificate.

Ensuring that efforts to retrain the worker are undertaken

if required to enable the worker to engage in suitable employment.

Giving a proposal in writing for a return to work plan to the worker

within seven days after the employer becomes aware that the workers total

or partial incapacity is likely to exceed 28 days.

We have a range of publications and resources to assist you.

These are available on the NT WorkSafe website

including workers compensation insurance requirements for employers

and employers guides to workers compensation.