- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a major crackdown on fraudulent workers' compensation claims.
- More than $250,000 has been recovered in 2024-25.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland with raft of measures to strengthen fraud protection and detection are underway
The Crisafulli Government has reinforced its zero-tolerance stance on fraudulent workers' compensation claims, recovering more than $250,000 in 2024–25, and introducing new measures to strengthen fraud prevention and detection.
Under Labor, fraudsters were allowed to thrive and eroded confidence in Queensland's workers' compensation scheme.
The Crisafulli Government's reforms will ensure suspected fraud is reported quickly, investigations are coordinated, and staff are equipped to identify and stop rorts before they impact businesses and taxpayers.
Key initiatives include:
- Fraud Taskforce: A joint effort with the Regulator to coordinate prevention, investigation, and prosecution strategies.
- Fraud Tip-Off Form: A streamlined process for WorkCover employees to report suspected fraud.
- Internal Fraud Hub: A dedicated internal resource offering guidance and information on fraud-related matters.
- Fraud Awareness Week: Events and communications to educate staff on identifying and reporting fraud.
- 2026 Education Plan: A comprehensive program to enhance fraud awareness and reporting.
The initiatives come just months after the Crisafulli Government announced it would not raise WorkCover premiums this financial year, under new WorkCover Queensland leadership appointed by the government.
The WorkCover board chose to freeze the average premium rate of $1.343 per $100 of wages, after discounts, providing certainty for businesses and protecting more workers.
Queensland continues to offer the lowest average premium rate of any centrally funded state or territory.
Under Labor's last term, WorkCover Queensland's average premium rate increased from $1.20 to $1.343 per $100 of wages, after discounts.
That equates to almost a 12 per cent increase in the last three years under the former Labor Government.
In 2024–25, the Office of Industrial Relations investigated 164 suspected fraud cases and initiated six prosecutions under the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said the crackdown marked a decisive shift after a decade of decline under Labor, who eroded confidence in Queensland's workers' compensation scheme.
"For a decade, Labor turned a blind eye to fraudulent claims, allowing rorts to undermine confidence in Queensland's workers' compensation scheme, but that era is over, and the Crisafulli Government is finally restoring integrity and fairness by taking a zero-tolerance stance against those who cheat the system," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"Queensland businesses and taxpayers deserve better and we remain steadfast in ensuring Queensland's workers' compensation scheme is fair, sustainable, and protected, delivering confidence for workers, employers and taxpayers.
"We are sending a clear message - if you commit fraud, you will be caught, prosecuted, and held accountable."
To protect businesses from unfair premium hikes, WorkCover Queensland has made fraud detection a priority in its Corporate Plan, working closely with the Office of Industrial Relations to strengthen fraud management.
