Information for self-insurers

The following documents will guide you through the legislative and administrative requirements for self-insurers.

• Self-insurer performance and compliance framework (PDF, 0.72 MB)
  A framework showing you how your organisation can adopt innovative approaches and manage activities effectively to meet the standards in the legislation.
• Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 Compliance and Enforcement Policy (PDF, 0.57 MB)
  This policy applies to all duty holders (including insurers, employers, workers, services providers) and shows you the principles that underpin the regulatory approach, compliance monitoring and enforcement activities used to help you meet legislative requirements.
• For claims management audit process, tool and IAP template see
  • Self-insurer audit process (PDF, 2.22 MB)
  • Self-insurer mid-licence self-audit improvement action plan (IAP) template (PDF, 0.22 MB)
• Application to add or remove a member to or from a group self-insurance licence (PDF, 0.13 MB)
  This document allows self-insured employers to add or remove an entity from their licence.

Work health and safety performance assessments

• Self-insurance guidance – WHS performance reporting arrangements (PDF, 0.65 MB)
  A guide on the legislative requirements, work health and safety performance standards and reporting required when applying for self-insurance or renewing your licence.
• Self-insurance guidance – WHS auditor appointment procedures (PDF, 0.76 MB)
  OIR accredits work health and safety auditors (self-insurance) for work health and safety performance reporting. This document explains the administrative procedures and appointment conditions that must be met for this accreditation.

The following documents contain important information and guidelines for self-insurers:

• Self-insurer performance and compliance framework (PDF, 0.72 MB)
• Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 Compliance and Enforcement Policy (PDF, 0.57 MB)
• For claims management performance standards and guidelines see Performance management program Queensland workers' compensation self-insurers. (PDF, 0.65 MB)
• Guidelines for standard for rehabilitation (PDF, 0.6 MB)
• Payment of lump sum compensation to a solicitor’s trust account
• Information about reporting injuries
• Employer reporting – Injury that may be compensable (reportable injuries) (PDF, 0.14 MB)
• Early intervention and employee assistance programs
• Queensland’s guidelines for the evaluation of permanent impairment
• Workers’ compensation insurers’ interface data specification (PDF, 1.7 MB)
• Workers’ compensation insurers’ interface technical specification (PDF, 0.5 MB)
• Workers’ compensation insurers’ interface data specification: data submission process and validation reference guide (PDF, 0.91 MB)
• Workers’ compensation insurers’ data reconciliation (PDF, 0.27 MB)

Use these forms to renew and adjust your self-insurer licence.

For single employers

• Form 79.1 Application for renewal (PDF, 0.67 MB)

For group employers

• Form 79.2 Application for renewal (PDF, 0.64 MB)

A new self-insurance licence will be granted for two years and licences can be renewed for any period up to four years based on performance.

You may be given a reduced period if you have not performed well as a self-insurer.

A review of your performance may include:

• if you’re fit and proper to have a licence
• data performance compared to the scheme and industry
• your financial position
• the claims audit report findings
• compliance with licence conditions
• occupational health and safety performance
• the quality of data you’ve provided
• resources and systems available for claims and rehabilitation management
• if you have an accredited return to work program
• payment times of the annual levy
• maintenance of policies and coverage for re-insurance
• ability to complete claims liability assessments by approved actuaries
• complaint management
• responsiveness.

You can appeal to a District or Supreme Court if you're unhappy with the Workers’ Compensation Regulator's decision on:

• calculation of the annual levy
• the issue, renewal or cancellation of your licence
• non-return of the balance of a bank guarantee or deposit if your licence is cancelled.

Under the Queensland workers’ compensation scheme, employers or workers can review or lodge an appeal about a claim.

Your workers, if unhappy with your decision on a claim, can lodge a review with Workers’ Compensation Regulatory Services . If you or the worker are unhappy with their decision, you or the worker can appeal to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. You can also make one final appeal to the Industrial Court.

Your workers can get free and independent help from:

• Workers’ compensation information and advisory service
• Workers’ psychological support service – workers’ compensation

You can read about previous decisions of the QIRC and the Industrial Court.

As a self-insurer, you'll be required to pay:

• a non-refundable application fee to Workers’ Compensation Regulatory Services when you lodge your application to become a self-insurer. This is:
  • $15,375 for single employers
  • $20,500 for group employers
• an annual levy that is charged from the start date to the end of the next financial year
• a fee to OIR for preparing your WHS performance report which is:
  • $1,495.66 for single employers
  • $1,990.68 for group employers

If you're applying to become a WHS auditor (self-insurance), there are application and accreditation fees.

The Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2014 and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 outlines fees in full.