NSW Work Injury Claim

NSW Workers Compensation Insurers

A practical directory of insurers and agents managing workers compensation claims in New South Wales, with guidance on what to do if your claim stalls, payments stop, or treatment is disputed.

Key References & Legislation

In NSW, workers compensation claims are managed by different insurers depending on who you work for, which industry you are in, and whether your employer is part of the nominal insurer scheme or licensed to self-insure. Working out who is actually managing your file matters because the insurer controls key decisions about liability, weekly payments, treatment approvals, and return-to-work planning.

What usually goes wrong before workers search for their insurer

The worker only knows the employer name

Many people are told to deal with HR, payroll, or a return-to-work coordinator without ever being given the actual insurer or claim manager details. That becomes a problem when you need to chase unpaid benefits, a treatment decision, or a missed certificate update.

The claim is really with a scheme agent, not icare itself

People often say they are "with icare" when the day-to-day decisions are actually being made by EML, Allianz, GIO, QBE, or Gallagher Bassett. Knowing the scheme agent helps you identify who issued the letter and who is responsible for the next step.

A dispute letter arrives before the insurer is understood

By the time aSection 78 notice, payment stoppage, or treatment refusal is issued, workers sometimes still do not know which entity is behind the decision. That slows down responses and creates avoidable deadline pressure.

The real issue is not identity, but escalation

Once you know the insurer, the next question is usually how to challenge their position — whether that is a denied claim, aweekly payments stoppage, atreatment denial, or a dispute headed to thePersonal Injury Commission.

1. icare (the Nominal Insurer)

Most employers in NSW are covered by the nominal insurer scheme. In practical terms, that means many workers say their claim is "with icare". But icare usually appoints a scheme agent to handle the day-to-day file, issue decisions, approve treatment, and manage weekly payments.

icare scheme agents

  • EML (Employers Mutual)
  • Allianz Australia
  • GIO General
  • QBE Workers Compensation
  • Gallagher Bassett

If you are unsure which scheme agent is handling your policy, contact icare directly on 13 44 22.

How to identify the actual decision-maker on your file

Check the top of any insurer letter, certificate response, IME booking, payment remittance, or treatment decision. The name on that document is usually the scheme agent or self-insurer managing your claim.

If the insurer has issued a decision you disagree with, keep the letter and compare it against the next step guides fordenied claims,work capacity decisions, andunfair IME reports.

2. Specialised insurers

Some industries have dedicated insurers rather than the ordinary nominal insurer pathway. These insurers manage claims for particular sectors and can have their own claims teams and processes.

Coal Mines Insurance (CMI)

Covers the NSW coal industry. Phone: 02 8270 3257

StateCover Mutual

Covers local councils in NSW. Phone: 02 8235 2800

Racing NSW

Covers the thoroughbred racing industry. Phone: 02 9551 7500

Guild Insurance

Covers pharmacies and child-care providers.

Hospitality Industry Insurance (HII)

Covers hotels, clubs, and takeaway businesses.

3. Self-insurers

Self-insurers are employers licensed by SIRA to manage their own workers compensation liabilities. If you work for one of these employers, the claim may be handled internally or through their own approved arrangements rather than through the nominal insurer scheme.

Practical checklist if you cannot work out who your insurer is

Check your insurer letters and payment remittances

The insurer or scheme agent name is often buried in the footer, email signature, or remittance advice.

Ask your employer for the claim number and insurer name

Do not settle for “icare” or “HR is handling it”. Ask for the actual insurer, claim number, and claim officer.

Keep the latest certificate and dispute letters together

That makes it easier to assess whether the issue is about liability, work capacity, payments, or treatment.

Match the problem to the right next-step guide

Use targeted pages forPIAWE recalculation,treatment denial, andPIC disputesrather than treating everything as a generic complaint.

Current licensed self-insurers

  • 3M Australia Pty Limited
  • Aldi Stores (A Limited Partnership)
  • Ausgrid Management Pty Ltd
  • BIC Services Pty Limited
  • Campbelltown City Council
  • Canterbury-Bankstown Council
  • Central Coast Council
  • Commonwealth Steel Company Pty Ltd
  • Council of the City of Blacktown
  • Council of the City of Lake Macquarie
  • Council of the City of Newcastle
  • Council of the City of Sydney
  • Council of the City of Wollongong
  • Endeavour Energy Network Management Pty Ltd
  • Estia Investments Pty Ltd
  • Fairfield City Council
  • Fletcher International Exports Pty Limited
  • Hawkesbury City Council
  • Hays Specialist Recruitment Australia Pty Ltd
  • Inghams Enterprises Pty Limited
  • ISS Property Services Pty Ltd
  • Liverpool City Council
  • Mars Australia Pty Ltd
  • Northern Beaches Council
  • NSW Trains
  • Shoalhaven City Council
  • Southern Meats Pty Limited
  • Sutherland Shire Council
  • Sydney Trains
  • Tomago Aluminium Company Pty Ltd
  • University of New South Wales
  • University of Wollongong
  • Ventia Australia Pty Ltd
  • Westpac Banking Corporation

Current group self-insurers

  • Adecco Holdings Pty Ltd
  • AGL Energy Limited
  • Australian Unity Limited
  • Bluescope Steel Limited
  • BOC Limited
  • Boral Limited
  • Brambles Industries Limited
  • Brickworks Limited
  • Busways Australia Pty Ltd
  • Casino Food Company Limited
  • Coca-Cola Europacific Partners API Pty Ltd
  • Coles Group Limited
  • ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia Pty Ltd
  • Colin Joss & Co Pty Limited
  • CSR Pty Ltd
  • DAC Finance Pty Ltd
  • Dimeo Group Holdings Pty Ltd
  • DuluxGroup Limited
  • Endeavour Group Limited
  • Food Investments Pty Ltd
  • Healius Limited
  • Holcim (Australia) Holdings Pty Limited
  • JB Hi-Fi Limited
  • Kelsian Group Ltd
  • Liberty Holdings Australia Limited
  • Life Without Barriers
  • McDonald's Australia Holdings Limited
  • Myer Holdings Limited
  • Persol Australia Holdings Ltd
  • Qantas Airways Limited
  • Randstad Holdings Pty Ltd
  • RGF Staffing APEJ Pty Ltd
  • Serco Group Pty Limited
  • Sonic Healthcare Limited
  • The Star Entertainment Group Ltd
  • Thomas Foods International Consolidated Pty Ltd
  • Toll Holdings Limited
  • Unilever Australia (Holdings) Pty Ltd
  • VENTORA Group Pty Ltd
  • Veolia Holdings Australia Pty Ltd
  • Wesfarmers Ltd
  • Woolworths Group Ltd

Having trouble with an insurer?

Whether you are dealing with icare, a specialised insurer, or a self-insurer, the core rules remain the same. If your claim is denied, your weekly payments are wrong, or treatment is delayed, the file usually needs quick evidence and strategy rather than more waiting.

Start Free Claim CheckCall 02 9635 0889

Related guides

Unsure who your insurer is?

If you cannot identify the insurer or agent, or you are getting bounced between your employer and the claims team, we can help you work out who is responsible and what to do next.

Start Free Claim CheckCall (02) 9635 0889

*This list is for general informational purposes only. SIRA reviews licences for specialised and self-insurers periodically. Always verify current insurer status on the official SIRA website.