Self-insurers

There are two types of self-insurer licence:

• single licence – granted to a single entity
• group licence – granted to a group of employers, consisting of a licence holder and at least one related entity.

Licence Application

The Application for Self-insurer Licence Guidelines outlines the criteria and operational conditions of a self-insurer licence, and the circumstances in which a licence may be suspended or cancelled. Prospective applicants should read these guidelines and contact WorkCover WA to discuss their intentions prior to submitting an application.

To apply for a licence, complete and submit the Self-insurer Application Form or Group Self-insurer Application Form.

Related Entity

An existing self-insurer may apply to add or remove related entities from licence.

To apply, the licence holder (the applicant) must complete and submit the Add a Self-insurer Related Entity Application Form or Remove a Self-insurer Related Entity Application Form.

Prior to submitting an application, the applicant should read the Application for Self-insurer Licence Guidelines which articulates the criteria and requirements of a related entity.

Performance Monitoring

Performance of self-insurers is actively monitored and evaluated against the Insurer and Self-insurer Principles and Standards of Practice.

Surrender of Licence

A licensed self-insurer (single or group) may apply to cease self-insurance, known as “surrender of licence”. To apply, the licenced self-insurer (the applicant) must complete and submit the Surrender of Self-insurer Licence Application Form. Conditions and requirements with respect to surrender of a licence are outlined in the Application for Self-insurer Licence Guidelines.

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.

Data directions under section 500 of the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 requires data and information relating to workers compensation policies and claims to be provided to WorkCover WA in the form, manner, and by any timeframes specified in WorkCover WA’s National Insurer Data Specification Guidelines.

WorkCover WA Online is a login-based platform that enables insurers and self-insurers to:

• Search and request WorkCover Number (WCN)
• Submit National Insurer Data Specification (NIDS) data
• Submit premium rates data
• Manage liability notices
• Manage policy cancellation requests
• Download NIDS reference codes (e.g. service fees and codes, issues documentation).

If you have any queries relating to the WorkCover WA Online, please visit WorkCover WA Online FAQs or contact us.

WorkCover WA collects data periodically to monitor scheme performance and to set recommended premium rates. Premium rates data is collected through:

• Form WC20 Mid Financial Year – Summary of cost of claims from July to December
• Form WC20 Full Financial Year – Summary of cost of claims from July to June
• Form WC31 – Statement of expenses associated with the writing of workers compensation claims.

All Forms are to be submitted via WorkCover WA Online.

Guidelines

• Premium rates data – Guidelines
  This document describes data required by WorkCover WA of self-insurers to set recommended premium rates and monitor scheme performance. Licensed self-insurers are required to provide data as specified in this document.

Templates

• Form WC20 Mid Financial Year TEMPLATE
  Template for reporting Form WC20 Mid Financial Year – Summary of cost of claims from July to December.
• Form WC20 Full Financial Year TEMPLATE
  Template for reporting Form WC20 Full Financial Year – Summary of cost of claims from July to June.
• Form WC31 TEMPLATE
  Template for reporting Form WC31 – Statement of expenses associated with the writing of workers compensation claims.

Sample data

• Form WC20 Mid Financial Year SAMPLE
  Sample data to show how to complete Form WC20 Mid Financial Year – Summary of cost of claims from July to December.
• Form WC20 Full Financial Year SAMPLE
  Sample data to show haw to complete Form WC20 Full Financial Year – Summary of cost of claims from July to June.
• Form WC31 SAMPLE
  Sample data to show how to complete Form WC31 – Statement of expenses associated with the writing of workers compensation claims.

WorkCover WA issued Bulletins for self-insurers under the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981, to provide information about WorkCover administrative requirements and to clarify legislative matters.

These Bulletins are currently under review in consideration of the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023.

Go to Bulletins.

For more information on how working directors are covered under the Act, refer to the ‘Working Directors’ page.

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.

• Workplace fatality – additional information notice
• Workplace fatality liability decision notice – disputed
• Workplace fatality liability decision notice – accepted

The Insurer and Self-Insurer Compliance Policy outlines our approach to regulating self-insurer compliance with legislative requirements.