ReturnToWorkSA: workers compensation insurance for SA employers
In South Australia, workers compensation insurance is provided by ReturnToWorkSA, which both insures employers and regulates the Return to Work scheme. You must register within 14 days of employing someone, unless you'll pay your workers less than $16,806 in total in 2026-27. The average premium rate for 2026-27 is 1.85%, held at that level for the fourth year in a row.
ReturnToWorkSA insures you directly, while two claims agents, EML and Gallagher Bassett, manage claims. There's no insurer to choose, so the useful things to understand are the registration threshold, the premium formula and its discounts, and who counts as a worker, including directors and some self-employed contractors the Act deems to be workers. To see how SA's 1.85% compares with other schemes, see workers compensation insurance in every state.
By Better Rate Mate Editorial Team · Last reviewed
General advice only. It doesn't consider your circumstances. Read the PDS and TMD before you decide.
| South Australia | |
|---|---|
| Insurer and regulator | ReturnToWorkSA |
| Claims agents | EML and Gallagher Bassett |
| Other options | Large employers can be self-insured |
| Who must register | Employers, within 14 days of employing |
| Threshold | No need to register if you'll pay your workers less than $16,806 in total in 2026-27 (indexed each year) |
| How premiums are set | Base premium (remuneration × industry rate), less a size discount, plus a claims cost component and other adjustments |
| Average premium rate | 1.85% for 2026-27 (the fourth year at that rate) |
| Minimum premium | $200 for 2026-27, plus GST and the WHS fee |
| Directors | Working directors under a contract of service are workers; directors paid only director's fees are unlikely to be covered |
| How to register | Online through the ReturnToWorkSA portal, or by phone on 13 18 55 |
| Law | Return to Work Act 2014 |
How ReturnToWorkSA works
ReturnToWorkSA describes itself as providing work injury insurance and regulating the South Australian Return to Work scheme. Employers register with it directly rather than buying from an insurer. Claims are managed by two claims agents, EML and Gallagher Bassett, on ReturnToWorkSA's behalf, and some large employers are self-insured. Workplace safety is a separate job, handled by SafeWork SA.
With one insurer and a published formula, there's no price comparison to run for SA workers compensation. The things that change what you pay are your industry classification, the remuneration you declare, your size and your claims.
Do you need to register?
ReturnToWorkSA says you must register for work injury insurance within 14 days of employing. The exception is a small wage bill: if you will pay your workers less than $16,806 in total for the 2026-27 financial year, you don't need to register. The threshold is indexed, so check it each year.
The exemption has a catch. If a worker is injured while you're unregistered under the threshold, you must register and pay the minimum premium, so a business near the line may prefer to register anyway.
How SA premiums are calculated
ReturnToWorkSA publishes its formula: Premium = BP × (1 − D) + C − A + SUR. BP is your base premium, which is your remuneration multiplied by your industry premium rate. D is a discount that depends on the size of your business. C is a claims component based on the previous year's income support costs, capped at three times D × BP. A is an apprentice incentive, and SUR is a supplementary underwriting rate that applies in some circumstances.
New employers pay the base premium for their first full year, and the minimum premium for 2026-27 is $200, plus GST and the WHS fee. Across the scheme, the average premium rate for 2026-27 is 1.85%. As an illustration of the method only, 1.85% of $100,000 of remuneration is $1,850; your own industry rate and adjustments decide your actual premium.
| Part | What it is |
|---|---|
| BP (base premium) | Your remuneration × your industry premium rate |
| D (discount) | A discount based on the size of your business |
| C (claims component) | The previous year's income support costs, capped at 3 × D × BP |
| A (apprentice incentive) | A reduction for employing apprentices |
| SUR | A supplementary underwriting rate, where it applies |
Who counts as a worker
The scheme covers workers employed under a contract of service. For company owners, ReturnToWorkSA says working directors under a contract of service are workers and are covered, while directors who only receive director's fees are unlikely to be.
The Act also deems some self-employed contractors to be workers, and ReturnToWorkSA gives examples including building work (but not tiling), cleaning, taxi driving, entertainment and outwork. If you engage contractors in those fields, check whether their pay should be included in your remuneration.
Sole traders
The scheme insures workers, so a sole trader isn't covered for their own injuries; business.gov.au notes that workers compensation doesn't cover sole traders in any state. If you work for yourself, arrange your own accident and income cover, and register with ReturnToWorkSA as soon as you employ anyone above the threshold.
How to register
You register online through ReturnToWorkSA's registration portal or by calling 13 18 55, and you receive a certificate of registration at the end. You'll need your ABN, your business activity (which sets your industry rate) and an estimate of remuneration. ReturnToWorkSA says financial sanctions may apply to employers that fail to register when they should.
Workers compensation in other states and territories
Each state and territory runs its own scheme, and an employer registers where its workers are based. If you employ people in more than one state, check each scheme, or compare workers compensation insurance in every state.
General advice only. This information doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether the product is right for you and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before you decide. We don't compare every product in the market, and we may earn a commission if you take up a product through our links.
What to watch for
- Register within 14 days of employing once you'll pass the $16,806 threshold for 2026-27.
- An injured worker ends the small-wages exemption: you must then register and pay the minimum premium.
- Check whether contractors in building, cleaning, taxi driving, entertainment or outwork are deemed workers.
- Working directors on a contract of service are workers; make sure their remuneration is declared.
Common questions
Do I need to register with ReturnToWorkSA?
Yes, within 14 days of employing, unless you'll pay your workers less than $16,806 in total in 2026-27. If a worker is injured while you're below the threshold, you must register and pay the minimum premium.
How much does workers compensation cost in SA?
Your base premium is your remuneration multiplied by your industry rate, then adjusted for business size, claims costs and apprentices. The average premium rate for 2026-27 is 1.85%, and the minimum premium is $200 plus GST and the WHS fee.
Is ReturnToWorkSA an insurer?
Yes, and a regulator. ReturnToWorkSA provides work injury insurance to SA employers and regulates the Return to Work scheme. EML and Gallagher Bassett manage claims on its behalf.
Are company directors covered by ReturnToWorkSA?
Working directors employed under a contract of service are workers and are covered. Directors paid only director's fees are unlikely to be.
Are sole traders covered by workers compensation in SA?
No. The scheme covers workers, not self-employed owners. Sole traders need their own personal accident or income protection cover.
What is the ReturnToWorkSA average premium rate for 2026-27?
1.85%, the fourth year in a row at that rate. Your own rate depends on your industry and the adjustments in the premium formula.
We are not the scheme
Better Rate Mate is a comparison and information site. We are not a workers compensation insurer, agent or regulator, and this page is general information for employers, not advice. For a policy, a premium or a claim, contact the scheme or a licensed insurer directly. If you have been injured at work, your employer's insurer and the regulator listed above can explain your entitlements.