Fehlklassifizierung von Branchenrisiko führt zu überhöhten Prämien

Definition

In each state and territory, workers’ compensation premiums are calculated based on an assigned industry classification using systems such as WorkCover Industry Classifications (WICs) in Queensland, WorkSafe industry classifications in Victoria, SAIC in South Australia and Premium Rating Classifications (PRCs) in Western Australia.[3][4][7][8] These classifications reflect the claims experience and risk level of the industry and are tied directly to the percentage premium rate applied to total remuneration or wages.[3][4][5][7][9] Media production businesses (film, TV, online content, post‑production, broadcasting) that are incorrectly classified under higher‑risk motion picture or general manufacturing codes, instead of more accurate post‑production or office‑based codes, pay materially higher premium rates than required.[4][7][9] ACT workers’ compensation premium rate tables show that different ANZSIC/industry classes attract markedly different suggested premium rates; for example, certain manufacturing and construction categories have indicative rates of 4–9% of remuneration, while communication and media‑related activities often sit closer to 1.3–2%.[9] For a media production employer with AUD 1–2 million in annual rateable remuneration, being misclassified from a 1.5% class to a 3.5%+ class equates to an avoidable cost of roughly AUD 20,000–40,000 per year.[5][9] Advisory firms explicitly recommend annual reviews of WorkCover Industry Classifications because incorrect classification is common and directly affects the premium employers pay.[5] Where operations include both higher‑risk production work and lower‑risk clerical/administrative areas, but the employer fails to apply or seek a permitted split of classifications (e.g. in Victoria where WorkSafe allows a split for physically distinct operations with different main activities), the entire payroll can be priced at the higher risk rate, compounding the overpayment.[4] Over multiple years, this misclassification produces six‑figure cumulative losses that are rarely detected without a targeted premium and classification audit.

Why This Matters

The Pitch: Media production players in Australia 🇦🇺 waste AUD 10,000–50,000+ p.a. on workers’ compensation premiums by sitting in the wrong WorkCover/WorkSafe classification. Automation and expert review of classification and wage allocation for production vs. clerical roles eliminates this leak.

Affected Stakeholders

CFO, Financial Controller, HR/People & Culture Manager, Payroll Manager, Production Company Owner, Insurance Broker

Related Business Risks