- WorkCover premium frozen for a second consecutive year, delivering certainty and relief for small and family businesses after Canberra's budget of increased taxes.
- Crackdown on WorkCover fraud continues, with three offenders imprisoned and more than $180,000 recovered.
- Further business relief also delivered for the contract cleaning industry with an adjustment to the industry's long service leave levy.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government has frozen WorkCover premiums for the second year in a row, delivering certainty for small and family businesses during a period of ongoing cost pressures, while also continuing to crackdown on workers' compensation fraud.
The average premium rate will remain at $1.343 per $100 of wages, with no increase for the coming financial year.
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.
Under the Crisafulli Government, Queensland continues to have the lowest average premium of any state or territory. It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy, after a decade of decline under Labor.
In line with our zero-tolerance approach to fraudulent claims, WorkCover Queensland has made fraud detection a priority in its Corporate Plan, recovering more than $180,000 in fraudulently obtained funds and prosecuting offenders.
For the 2025-26 financial year to date, the Workers' Compensation Regulator has successfully prosecuted six offenders for defrauding an insurer, including three sentenced to prison time for their crimes. All were ordered to repay any money they defrauded. The Regulator has recovered more than $181,000 in fraudulently obtained funds for insurers.
The Workers' Compensation Regulator also charged nine more offenders with defrauding an insurer.
Further business relief has also been delivered for the contract cleaning industry with an adjustment to the industry's premium levy.
The levy funds a scheme that provides long service leave entitlements to workers for service in the industry, rather than for service with a single employer.
A full actuarial review of the Contract Cleaning Portable Long Service Leave Scheme found it was in a strong financial position, and the levy payable should be reduced from 0.75 per cent to 0.50 per cent of ordinary wages, effective from 1 July 2026.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government was playing its part to deliver certainty and relief for Queensland businesses.
"Queensland is open for business, that includes delivering relief you can rely on if you run a business in the State," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"The decision to freeze premiums again represents certainty for Queensland small and family businesses, while maintaining a strong focus on supporting injured workers rehabilitate and return to work.
"The strong financial position of the Contract Cleaning Portable Long Service Leave Scheme also means we can help ease the financial strain on another hardworking sector."
"Our zero-tolerance approach to fraudulent claims is a clear reminder to anyone who thinks they can get away with fleecing taxpayers. Workers' compensation fraud is a crime, and you will be charged and prosecuted and held accountable."
"A strong scheme is vital to protect the interests of injured workers and their families while we continue to support small and family businesses across Queensland."
WorkCover Queensland Board Chair Chloé Kopilović said the decision reflected the Board's focus on ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of the fund, which enables this year's support and greater financial certainty for Queensland businesses. "This is a balanced approach about delivering immediate support for Queensland businesses while ensuring the fund remains financially strong and is fit for the future as challenges and pressures evolve, including rising mental injury claims and costs," Ms Kopilović said.
"Our ongoing investment in fraud detection, prevention and compliance helps safeguard the integrity of the fund, ensuring premiums are equitably set and go towards supporting workers who genuinely need it."
