Toward more choice in workplace insurance

Although the Government's proposed reforms to workplace accident compensation will not create the level playing field that the insurance industry might like, they may offer employers the opportunity to develop arrangements which better reflect the particular circumstances of their business.

This Brief Counsel summarises the main reform proposals. Submissions on the discussion document are due by 15 July 2011.

Proposals in brief

The key reform directions are to:

• make the Accredited Employers Programme (AEP) more attractive and more flexible
• develop options for risk-sharing outside the AEP, and
• open workplace insurance to private sector competition from 1 October 2012.