The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has called on the Allan Labor Government to urgently fix Victoria’s broken WorkCover scheme, as local businesses are crippled by skyrocketing premiums.
“One Bendigo-based employer has seen their WorkCover premium explode from $32,000 in 2022/23 to nearly $76,000 in 2025/26, a staggering increase which has more than doubled in just three years,” Ms Broad said.
“This increase comes after a 42 per cent average hike in WorkCover premiums across the board in 2022-23, following an admission from the Allan Labor Government that Victoria’s workers compensation scheme was ‘fundamentally broken’.
“Despite a freeze on average premiums for 2024/25, many individual businesses are still facing massive increases.
“Local businesses have raised legitimate concerns about how premiums are calculated and that the scheme has no transparency, and no relief.
“To stay in business, they have no other option but to pay these exorbitant bills.
“The Allan Labor Government has failed to deliver a fair and sustainable workers compensation scheme,” Ms Broad said.
“Businesses are being punished for the government’s financial mismanagement, and workers are losing confidence in a system that’s meant to protect them.
Ms Broad said: “Victoria’s businesses deserve better. We need a WorkCover system that works for employers, for workers, and for the future of our regional economy.”
Ms Broad encouraged local businesses impacted by skyrocketing WorkCover premiums to get in contact and share their experience of the scheme.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764
