Farm Workers Compensation

Premiums are calculated as a percentage of your total wages and typically range from 3% to 8% for farming operations. A farm with $200,000 in annual wages might pay $6,000 to $16,000 in workers compensation premiums depending on the state, farm type and claims history. Your experience rating can move this significantly in either direction.

In most states, family members who receive wages or a salary for their work on the farm are classified as employees and must be covered. The rules around unpaid family members vary by state. In some jurisdictions, unpaid family members may not be covered, leaving a significant gap if they are injured.

You face criminal prosecution, heavy fines and personal liability for all medical, rehabilitation and wage replacement costs. In most states, the regulator will also charge you a penalty premium for the uninsured period. The financial consequences of an uninsured serious injury can be devastating for a farming business.

Genuine independent contractors with their own ABN and workers compensation policy are generally not your responsibility. However, if a worker is deemed to be an employee rather than a true contractor (based on the level of control, tools provided and integration into your business), you may be liable. Always verify a contractor's insurance status before engaging them.

Yes. The most effective way is to reduce the frequency and severity of workplace injuries through safety training, equipment maintenance, hazard identification and documented safe work procedures. A strong return-to-work program that gets injured workers back to suitable duties quickly also improves your experience rating and reduces premiums over time.

Yes. Workers compensation covers employees who are injured at work and is paid for by the employer. Income protection insurance is a personal policy that covers the policyholder's own income if they are unable to work due to illness or injury, regardless of cause. Farm owners and operators who are not employees often need personal income protection as workers comp does not cover them.

Yes. In states where employers can choose their insurer (NSW, WA, Tasmania), we compare options across available providers. In all states, we help ensure your wages declarations, industry classifications and return-to-work practices are optimised to deliver the best possible premium outcome for your farming operation.

Australian farm insurance typically includes cover for farm buildings and structures, contents and machinery, livestock, crops, public liability, farm motor vehicles, and business interruption. Most insurers offer a farm package policy that bundles these covers together. At Shielded, we compare packages from insurers like WFI, Elders, QBE, CGU, Zurich, Hollard and others to find the right combination for your operation.

Farm insurance premiums vary significantly based on property value, location, farm type, and the covers selected. A basic hobby farm package may cost $1,500 to $4,000 per year, while a large broadacre or cattle operation could range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more. Factors like bushfire or flood risk zones, claims history, and the value of machinery and livestock all affect pricing. Request a free quote through Shielded for an accurate indication.

Crop insurance is usually an optional add-on to a standard farm package, not included by default. It protects against losses from hail, frost, fire, flood and other weather events that affect crop yield and quality. Multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI) provides broader cover but is priced based on your specific crop type, location and historical yields.

Most comprehensive farm insurance policies include cover for bushfire, storm and flood damage to buildings, contents, machinery and fencing. However, coverage limits and excesses can vary significantly depending on your property's risk rating. Properties in high-risk bushfire or flood zones may face higher premiums or specific excess levels. It is important to review your policy details and sum insured amounts regularly.

Farm liability insurance (also called public liability) protects you against claims for bodily injury or property damage caused by your farming operations. If a visitor, contractor or neighbour is injured on your property, or your livestock escape and cause damage, liability cover pays for legal costs and compensation. Most farm package policies include $10M to $20M of public liability cover as standard.

Farm machinery and equipment are typically covered under the contents and machinery section of a farm package policy. However, high-value items like harvesters, headers, tractors and irrigation equipment should be individually listed with accurate sum insured values. Portable equipment and items used away from the property may need additional cover. Review your sums insured annually as replacement costs increase.

Contact us at Shielded Insurance on 1800 97 98 99 or reach out to your insurer directly. We recommend notifying us as soon as possible after a loss event, documenting the damage with photos, and keeping records of all related expenses. Our team will guide you through the claims process.

Yes. Hobby farms and lifestyle properties can be insured under specialist rural property policies or scaled-down farm packages. These policies typically cover the dwelling, sheds and outbuildings, fencing, a small number of livestock, hobby machinery and public liability. Insurers like CGU, WFI and QBE all offer hobby farm products. Premiums are generally lower than commercial farm policies.

We compare farm insurance quotes from a wide panel of Australian rural insurers including WFI, Elders Insurance, QBE, CGU, Zurich, Hollard, Nutrien Ag Solutions and others. The best insurer for your situation depends on your farm type, location, and the specific covers you need. As brokers, we do the comparison work for you.

Review your farm insurance annually at renewal, or whenever there are significant changes to your operation - such as purchasing new machinery, building new structures, expanding acreage, adding livestock, or changing your farming activities. Building costs and machinery replacement values increase over time, so keeping your sums insured up to date is essential to avoid being underinsured at claim time.