Statutory scheme cover
Medical costs, weekly payments and lump sums for workers injured in the course of employment.
Farm Workers Compensation
0418 166 122Compare farm workers compensation quotes from multiple Australian insurers. Insurance quotes from a licensed Australian broker with Steadfast network access.
By requesting a quote you accept our financial services guide and privacy policy. General information only.
Farm Workers Compensation
Cover for injured farm workers under state schemes.
Agriculture is consistently one of Australia's higher-risk industries for serious workplace injury, and farm employers carry a statutory obligation to hold workers compensation for their workers. The complication on farms is working out who counts as a worker. Casual pickers, shearers, backpackers, labour hire crews and some contractors can all be deemed workers depending on the state you operate in.
What is it?
Workers compensation in Australia is state and territory based. Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia run central schemes through WorkCover Queensland, icare, WorkSafe Victoria and ReturnToWorkSA, while Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT are underwritten by private insurers that a broker can approach. Premiums are driven by industry classification, declared wages and claims experience.
What does farm workers compensation cover?
Contractors deemed workers
Contractors who may be treated as workers under state rules, which changes the wages you declare.
Employer liability at common law
Damages claims brought by an injured worker, available in some jurisdictions subject to thresholds.
What affects the cost?
- State or territory scheme rules
- Industry classification for the farm
- Total declared wages
- Claims and return-to-work history
- Contractor and labour hire use
Worth raising on the call
- Whether a shearer, picker or contractor counts as a worker is decided by the state scheme's rules, not by the invoicing arrangement.
- Family members working on the farm are treated differently in each state and are worth checking specifically.
- Working directors and sole traders are generally outside the scheme, which is why personal accident cover comes up.
Claims we are commonly asked about
Side-by-side rollover injures a worker
A farm hand is thrown from a side-by-side checking troughs and suffers a serious back injury with months away from work. The scheme generally covers medical costs and weekly payments, and the regulator usually examines training, helmets and rollover protection afterwards.
Shearer injured mid-run
A shearer engaged through a contracting crew tears a shoulder partway through a run in the shed. Whether that shearer is your worker for scheme purposes is decided by the state rules rather than by how the work was invoiced.
Seasonal picker falls from a ladder
A backpacker picking fruit falls from an orchard ladder and needs surgery and several weeks off. Casual and seasonal workers are generally still workers, and their wages usually need to be inside the declared wages figure.
Worth confirming in the wording
- Worth confirming with your state or territory scheme whether shearers, pickers, fencers, harvest contractors and labour hire crews are deemed workers for your operation, since the answer differs by jurisdiction.
- Worth confirming how family members working on the farm, including a spouse and adult children, are treated under your state's scheme and whether their wages must be declared.
- Worth confirming whether working directors, partners and sole traders sit inside or outside the scheme, and what personal accident cover would be needed to fill that gap.
Common questions
Do I need workers compensation if I only employ casuals at harvest?
Generally yes. Casual, seasonal and part-time workers are usually still workers under state and territory schemes, and their wages usually need to be declared. The obligation is triggered by employing workers at all rather than by how many or for how long, though thresholds and rules vary, so check with your scheme.
Are contractors covered by my workers compensation?
Sometimes. Several state schemes deem certain contractors to be workers, particularly where they mainly supply labour rather than plant, which can mean their payments belong in your declared wages. Holding an ABN and issuing an invoice does not settle the question. This is worth checking specifically for shearers, fencers and harvest crews.
Am I covered as the farm owner?
Usually not under the workers compensation scheme, because working directors, partners and sole traders are commonly outside it in most jurisdictions, with limited exceptions. That is why personal accident and sickness cover comes up so often for owner-operators. It is worth confirming your own position rather than assuming.
What drives farm workers compensation premiums?
Your state or territory scheme rules, the industry classification applied to the farm, total declared wages, claims and return-to-work history, and how much contractor and labour hire you use. In the privately underwritten states a broker can approach several insurers, while in the central-scheme states the premium is set by the scheme itself.
General information only. Cover, limits and exclusions depend on the PDS, TMD, eligibility, underwriting and the policy terms. See farm insurance for the wider picture.
10 Years Advising Steadfast Network Access Licensed Australian Brokers Australia-Wide
Quotes That Are Fast And Easy
Get a quote fast. Compare quotes from multiple insurers. Get the best deal for your farm workers compensation.
How Do You Get Started?
We make farm workers compensation fast and easy at Insurance Time. Get a quote today.
-
Start a quote.
Fill the quote form above, or call us on 0418 166 122.
-
Quotes gathered.
Our team will approach insurers and gather your options.
-
You're covered.
Choose your option and receive your policy documents.
Why Choose Insurance Time
Protect yourself with cover arranged by a licensed Australian broker who explains it in plain English.
Professional
Our team are experienced in farm workers compensation and licensed to advise on it.
Experienced
Ten years advising Australian families and businesses, with Steadfast network access.
Renewal management
Our team will manage your renewals and keep you informed and up to date.
24/7 claims
Notify us of a claim 24/7, 365 days a year.
Cover Options
We can arrange different levels of cover for you and your business.
Motor vehicles and fleets
Third party to comprehensive motor and fleet cover.
Public liability
Protection for third party property damage or personal injury.
Business package
Customised cover for your business assets and liabilities.
Personal insurance
Protection for you and your family.
Property
Protection for your personal and business premises and contents.
Workers compensation
Cover questions for your employees and workers.
Get A Quote. It's Complimentary.
It's time to review your farm workers compensation.
General information only. Any cover depends on the PDS, TMD, eligibility, underwriting, and policy terms. We use your details to respond to this enquiry.