Individual employers who meet the criteria to manage the workers’ compensation of their own employees are known as ‘exempt’ or ‘self-insurers’.
Self-insurers have a range of administrative requirements to perform when processing claims made by workers. Your performance against these requirements is actively monitored by WorkCover WA.
This section outlines the role and requirements of self-insurers, and contains the full list of approved self-insurers and available resources.
Click here to view our regulatory policy for self-insurers.
Approval and review of self-insurers Approval The Governor, on the recommendation of the Minister for Commerce, may exempt employers or groups of employers from the requirement to have a conventional workers’ compensation policy. Self-insurers must: Compliance Monitoring WorkCover WA conducts annual reviews of all exemptions, to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with legislative requirements. An audit based monitoring framework includes periodic audits and self-audits. Performance Monitoring To evaluate the performance of approved self-insurers, WorkCover WA has developed the Insurer and Self-insurer Principles and Standards of Practice. If you have any questions about self-insurance in Western Australia please call us on 1300 794 744 or contact us via email records@workcover.wa.gov.au. Client Services A self-insurer’s claims management practices should align with the requirements of the Act and provide a fair, equitable and effective service to injured workers. Injury Management To maintain continuing approval self-insurers must have an Injury Management Policy and Procedure document which demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to injury management and return to work. Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) All self-insurers are required to have a documented, accessible IDRP which is designed to resolve disputes internally. Cancellation of Approval A self-insurer’s exempt employer status may be cancelled if they do not continue to meet legislative requirements. Employers or group of employers that cease to be exempt are required to obtain a conventional policy of insurance. Enquiries If you have any questions about self-insurance in Western Australia, please call us on 1300 794 744 or contact us via email records@workcover.wa.gov.au.
List of approved self-insurers
Insurer Name
Address
Phone No
ALCOA OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED
Cnr Pinjarra Road and Roe Avenue PINJARRA WA 6208
(08) 9557 4111
BHP GROUP LTD
City Square, 125 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000
(08) 6208 6608
BLUESCOPE STEEL LIMITED
650 Abernethy Road FORRESTFIELD WA 6058
1800 800 789
BP AUSTRALIA GROUP PTY LTD
Level 15, 240 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000
(08) 9420 1888
BRAMBLES LTD
41 Kewdale Road WELSHPOOL WA 6106
(08) 9453 5003
BRICKWORKS LTD
22 Harper Street CAVERSHAM WA 6055
(08) 9261 9999
COCKBURN CEMENT LTD
Lot 242 Russell Rd EAST MUNSTER WA 6166
(08) 9411 1000
COLES GROUP LTD
PO Box 110 BURWOOD VIC 3125
1300 352 258
CSR LTD
19-21 Sheffield Road WELSHPOOL WA 6106
1800 028 327
HEALIUS LTD
Level 32, 250 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000
(08) 9317 0761
HOLCIM (AUSTRALIA) HOLDINGS PTY LTD
Level 3, 200 Adelaide Terrace EAST PERTH 6000
(08) 9212 2055
INFRABUILD TRADING PTY LTD
1 Howson Way, SPEARWOOD WA 6163
(08) 9418 9843
INGHAMS ENTERPRISES PTY LTD
9 Baden St OSBORNE PARK WA 6017
(08) 9441 4200
ISS FACILITY SERVICES AUSTRALIA LIMITED
16 Foley BALCATTA WA 6021
(08) 9445 4452
METCASH TRADING LIMITED
218 Bannister Rd CANNING VALE WA 6155
(08) 9311 6000
MYER PTY LTD
Level 3, 200 Murray Street PERTH WA 6000
(08) 9265 5888
SOUTH32 LTD
Level 34, 108 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000
(08) 9324 9000
ST JOHN OF GOD HEALTH CARE INC
Level 1, 556 Wellington Street PERTH WA 6000
(08) 6116 0000
WESFARMERS LTD
PO Box M978 PERTH WA 6843
(08) 6350 9000
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Level 3, 170 Railway Parade WEST LEEDERVILLE WA 6007
(08) 9483 8888
WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION
Level 2, 123 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000
0435 659 457
WOODSIDE ENERGY LTD
Woodside Plaza, 240 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000
(08) 9348 4000
WOOLWORTHS GROUP LIMITED (WOOLWORTHS GROUP)
Parmelia House, Level 9, 191 St Georges Tce PERTH WA 6000
1800 469 931
Clinical Framework WorkCover WA endorses the use of the Clinical Framework for the Delivery of Health Services by WA medical and allied health practitioners. Self-insurers have a key role in monitoring and making decisions about injury management services. We encourage use of the Clinical Framework to inform collaboration between self-insurers and service providers in the treatment of injured workers. See the Clinical Framework section to view the PDF and associated information.
The Claims Managers Capability Framework sets out the practices, skills and behaviours expected of claims managers in the Western Australia workers’ compensation scheme.
The Capability Framework translates the Insurer and Self-insurer Principles and Standards of Practice into observable practices and behaviours which claims managers should demonstrate when delivering scheme services.
Claims Managers Capability Framework (PDF – 473kb)
The data requirements set out in the Insurer/Self-Insurer Electronic Data Specification arise from WorkCover WA’s obligations to monitor and recommend changes to the Western Australian workers’ compensation scheme, to promote employment safety and injury management, and to collect data that complies with the National Data Set specification.
WorkCover WA recently collaborated with the Insurance Council of Australia and workers’ compensation regulators in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory to develop the new National Insurer Data Specification (NIDS), a common specification for workers’ compensation data supplied by insurers and self-insurers. NIDS is closely based on the existing Western Australian specification but also includes data items specific to the individual jurisdictions while allowing for a common data extraction and supply process for insurers and self-insurers.
The implementation of NIDS in Western Australia commenced in January 2014.
Insurer/Self-insurer Electronic Data Specification
The Q2 Data Specification is available on the Insurer page.
Digital First is a multi-year ‘umbrella’ initiative adopted to coordinate a range of technology and business related projects that will see WorkCover WA transform a greater proportion of its business to an online or digital environment.
The initial projects focused on the establishment of the WorkCover WA Online platform and the transition from Insurer Online. Under the Digital First Platform, further projects will extend functionality.
WorkCover WA Online facilitates several services. These include:
National Insurer Data Specification (NIDS) – file submissions
Upload file submissions to WorkCover WA and also search submission history. Issues raised from submitted data files can be addressed and summarised. Conversations with WorkCover WA Scheme Information staff can be initiated and responded to.
Claims
Self-insurers can search for notified claims; view recent liability notices – Section 57(a) 3(c) – and submit new liability notices.
Reference information
This application allows self-insurers to download the following reference documentation:
- All Service Codes
- Current Service Codes
- Service Type Codes
- Valid Type Code Combinations
- Service Providers
- Issues Documentation
If you have any queries relating to the WorkCover WA Online, please visit WorkCover WA Online FAQs or contact us.
WorkCover WA requires additional data from self-insurers for monitoring scheme performance and setting recommended premium rates. This data is required to be submitted in accordance to the guidelines. Please note, with exception of WC20-Semi-Annual 2022/23 returns, all the Forms are now required to be submitted via WorkCover WA Online. Insurers have the option of emailing the WC20-Semi-Annual 2022/23 returns using the WC20-Semi-Annual Form.
General
Forms
- WC20-December-FILE
- WC20-Annual-FILE
- WC31-Annual-FILE
- WC20-Semi-Annual (** use for WC20-Semi-Annual 2022/23 Returns)
Guidelines
Sample Data
Previous Year's Guidelines
WorkCover WA requires additional data from insurers and self-insurers for monitoring scheme performance and setting recommended premium rates. This data is required to be submitted in accordance to the guidelines. Please note that the WC12 Form is now required to be submitted via WorkCover WA Online.
General
Forms
Guidelines
Bulletins View the range of WorkCover WA Bulletins that provide self-insurers with clarification on legislative matters and administrative requirements. Go to Bulletins. The legislation was developed as an urgent response to the insurance industry’s sudden withdrawal of terrorism insurance products following the terrorist attacks in the United States of America on September 11, 2001. If this arrangement had not been made, employers would have been without cover for claims arising from terrorist events, and insurers would be in breach of section 160(3) of the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 (WCIM Act) which requires insurers to insure an employer for the full extent of their liability. The Terrorism Act was enacted as an interim arrangement pending the development of a national insurance scheme covering terrorism related workers’ compensation claims. The Commonwealth Government has since developed a national scheme however it excludes workers’ compensation liabilities, which remain the responsibility of the States and Territories. As it was not intended to operate indefinitely the Terrorism Act contains a sunset clause which has been extended several times (via the Final Day regulations), most recently to 31 December 2026. Approved insurers and self-insurers to be excluded from their liability under section 160 of the WCIM Act to insure employers for workers’ compensation against a terrorist event providing that they hold a valid contribution agreement with WorkCover WA. A $25 million collective liability cap for insurers and self-insurers with a reduction factor to apply for liability exceeding this cap (statutory benefits only, common law is excluded). A 90 day time limit for claims applicable from the date specified in a Ministerial declaration. If no Ministerial declaration is made, injured workers may still be compensated providing that WorkCover WA is satisfied an act of terrorism has occurred – no time limit applies in this situation. Liabilities to initially be paid from the Employers’ Indemnity Supplementation Fund (Supplementation Fund) and recovered from insurers and self-insurers. Once liability is determined, insurers are collectively liable for 95 per cent (apportioned individually by market share). Self-insurers are liable for the remaining 5 per cent (apportioned individually by level of declared wages).
Go to Working Directors.
To assist insurers and self-insurers manage workplace fatality matters, WorkCover WA has developed the Compensation for Workplace Fatality – Guidelines for Insurers/Self-Insurers.
Forms and Notices
