Approved insurers seeking to charge an employer a premium of more than 75% above the recommended premium rate, are required to request and obtain permission from the WorkCover WA Authority (the Board). The information provided on this page sets out the process for making these requests.

Legislative requirements

In accordance with section 152 of the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 (the Act) an insurer cannot charge a loading on a recommended premium rate of more than 75% of that rate, unless permitted by the Board to do so.

To apply to the Board for permission, an insurer should complete and submit to WorkCover WA an Application to Load in Excess of 75% of the Recommended Premium Rate (Word - 290kb).

Applications should be submitted early

Insurers should submit an application to load a policy in excess of 75% of the recommended premium rate as early as possible prior to the commencement of an insurance policy period.

Applications will not be considered for approval if they relate to past insurance periods. Insurers that fail to make an application before the policy period ends are not permitted to apply a loading in excess of 75% of the recommended premium rate.

Applications must be complete

WorkCover WA will not consider incomplete applications. The insurer must:

• complete all fields on the application form (including the Data Input Table)
• attach the required documents (as outlined in section F of the form).

WorkCover WA will process complete and accurate applications within one month of receipt.

If an incomplete or inaccurate application is received the form will be returned to the insurer for completion.

Criteria for application

In considering an application the Board will:

• rely on the WorkCover WA actuarial model when assessing the quantum of the premium loading proposed by the insurer;
• consider what action the insurer intends taking during the policy period to address poor claims history;
• assess the management of return to work planning (for both the insurer and the employer) and identify any deficiencies that need to be addressed;
• consider the period the employer has been with the insurer.

Queries?

For further information, please phone (08) 9388 5555 and ask for the Standards and Monitoring Branch.