Queensland has frozen WorkCover premiums for the second year in a row and pledged a continued crackdown on workers’ compensation fraudsters.

The average premium rate will remain at $1.343 per $100 of wages in 2026-27, providing “certainty and relief” for businesses, according to state Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie.

WorkCover Queensland chair Chloe Kopilovic says the move also ensures the scheme’s financial sustainability.

“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,” she said.

She adds the scheme’s “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”.

Mr Bleijie says this financial year, the Workers’ Compensation Regulator has successfully prosecuted six offenders for defrauding insurers, with three sentenced to jail time.

All were ordered to repay money, and the regulator has recovered more than $181,000 for insurers.

The government has also announced support for the contract cleaning industry, changing its premium levy from 0.75% of ordinary wages to 0.5% in 2026-27.

The levy goes towards long-service leave entitlements for workers in the industry as a whole, rather than for time spent with a single employer.

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