If you're an employer in Western Australia, you’re legally required to hold Workers’ Compensation Insurance to protect your employees from injury or illness that occurs as a result of their employment. In WA, “remuneration” includes any form of payment or allowance made to or on behalf of a worker, whether it’s cash, non-cash or in-kind benefit.

Under the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 (WA), any person who works under a contract of service or apprenticeship may be considered a ‘worker’ and must be covered by workers' compensation. This includes some contractors and subcontractors, even if they have their own ABN, operate as a business, or invoice you.

If you’re a subcontractor in Western Australia, it’s common to be asked by a principal contractor or client to add them as an interested party on your workers' compensation policy, often referred to as a Principal’s Indemnity Extension. This provides evidence that if one of your workers is injured on the job they won't be held liable.