Question 1

When is a worker covered for workers compensation?

Accepted Answer

A worker may be entitled to compensation for an injury or disease that occurs/arises:

during the course of employment; or,
by an accident arising out of employment; or
on a journey to or from work.

Question 2

What is the definition of ‘wages’?

Accepted Answer

‘Wages’ means the aggregate amount of Wages, salary, or other remuneration to be paid to your Workers.

Wages includes every payment made to or for the worker for their services, without deduction of income tax. It includes:

all wages,
salaries,
remuneration,
commissions,
bonuses,
overtime,
allowances and the like,
directors’ fees,
superannuation contributions (except those made by force of law),
fringe benefits,
and all other benefits paid (whether paid in cash or non-cash benefits such as vehicles, equipment, mortgage payments, travel, school fees etc.)

For more information, see our Important Notices guide or go to the WorkCover WA website.

Question 3

Do I have to cover my contractors and sub-contractors?

Accepted Answer

It depends on whether the contractor or sub-contractor is defined as a ‘worker’. The term ‘worker’ includes:

A contractor to whose service an industrial award or agreement applies;
A contractor engaged to work for the purpose of your trade or business, whose remuneration is in exchange for their personal manual labour or services.

For more information, see our Important Notices guide or go to the WorkCover WA website.

Question 4

What is a certificate of Currency and how can I get one?

Accepted Answer

A Certificate of Currency provides confirmation of a current WA Workers Compensation policy, and is valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue or until the policy expiry date, whichever occurs first.

You can obtain a copy by logging into your GIO Online Services. After logging in, navigate to ‘Your Insured Policies’ and select the policy you would like to obtain your Certificate of Currency for. On the policy overview, click ‘Get documents’ and then select, from the drop-down options, 'Certificate of Currency'.

You can then choose which email address you want the document sent to – it will default to what we have in your contact information, however, you can easily change it to whatever you prefer.

WA Workers Compensation FAQs