If you are an Australian painting contractor, separate compulsory insurance from cover required by clients or chosen for business risk. Employers generally need workers compensation under their state or territory scheme; registered vehicles need compulsory personal-injury cover; and public liability may be required for particular occupations, licences, sites, or contracts. Tools, property, commercial vehicle, contract works, income protection, cyber, and professional indemnity depend on the business and policy wording.
Page last reviewed: 21 July 2026
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This is a risk checklist, not personal insurance or legal advice. Confirm cover with the relevant regulator, principal, broker, or authorised insurer.
| Cover | Risk addressed | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Workers compensation | Employees injured or made ill through work | State/territory registration, wages, worker and contractor definitions |
| Public liability | Third-party injury, death, or property damage | Limit, excess, overspray, height, heat work, subcontractors, and exclusions |
| Commercial vehicle | Business vehicles, trailers, and liability beyond compulsory injury cover | Declared use, drivers, tools in transit, and replacement terms |
| Tools and property | Theft, loss, fire, or damage to plant, stock, and equipment | Site and vehicle limits, security conditions, and replacement value |
| Contract works | Damage to work in progress and specified project risks | Who arranges cover under the head contract and when it starts/ends |
| Income / personal accident | Owner unable to earn because of injury or illness | Waiting period, benefit period, exclusions, and whether the insured is a sole trader |
| Professional indemnity | Claims arising from professional advice or design | Whether advice/design is actually provided and required by contract |
business.gov.au explains that workers compensation is required when a business has employees, while public liability can be required by some states and territories for particular occupations. Motor vehicles also carry compulsory third-party personal injury arrangements. Other cover depends on the work, assets, contract, and risk appetite.
A principal contractor, strata manager, commercial client, landlord, or licence condition may require a certificate of currency and a specified liability limit even where the cover is not universally mandated for every painter.
Safe Work Australia says employers must have insurance for workers, but each state and territory operates its own scheme and definitions. A person called a subcontractor may still be treated as a worker under a scheme. Confirm employee, director, sole-trader, and contractor treatment with the relevant jurisdiction rather than relying on the invoice arrangement alone.
business.gov.au also notes that workers compensation generally does not cover a sole trader personally, so income protection or personal accident cover may need separate consideration.
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Record annual premiums, broker fees, expected excess exposure, licences, safety systems, and related administration in business overhead. Allocate overhead consistently across productive labour or target revenue. Do not present insurance as a customer pass-through unless the contract and pricing make that treatment clear.
Requirements vary by occupation, licence, state or territory, worksite, and contract. Even where it is not universally compulsory, clients and principals commonly require proof of cover.
Employers generally must obtain workers compensation under the applicable state or territory scheme. Definitions and registration arrangements vary by jurisdiction.
business.gov.au says workers compensation does not cover a sole trader personally. Consider appropriate personal accident, illness, disability, or income cover with professional advice.
Do not assume so. Check their certificates and policy scope, your contract, and whether the relevant workers compensation scheme treats the contractor as a worker.
Ask about overspray, height limits, scaffolds and EWPs, heat work, hazardous materials, work on customer property, subcontractors, tools in vehicles, and completed work.
Get connected with local tradies who can quote your job.
Use ATT to quote faster, win more work, and run your painter business.