This link takes you to the WorkCover site, but frankly, there isn't much info for householders there.
Their phone number is 1300 362 128 and they answered the phone promptly today (Aug '03).
Here is a
link to the application form.
Workers' Compensation insurance is available, in Queensland, through a government agency called WorkCover. It now costs $25 for two years. It is very easy to organise.
Household Workers' Policy covers you against injury claims from any private person you employ, for money or for LETS
Units, to work at your private residence. That employee might claim you failed to provide a safe environment.
The definition of employee certainly includes fellow LETS members.
Everyone who is likely to employ a private person should have this, not just LETS people.
This link takes you to the WorkCover site, but frankly, there isn't much info for householders there.
Their phone number is 1300 362 128 and they answered the phone promptly today (Aug '03).
Here is a
link to the application form.
BrisLETS as an incorporated association has not paid for PL from late 2001, because of the soaring cost. The purpose of PL is to protect the incorporated organisation against members of the public (and members of BrisLETS) suing them as a group, against negligence or carelessness (but not deception and fraud). But we can't afford the premiums, even with the government scheme.
BrisLETS is incorporated mainly to protect individual committee members. The organisation can be sued but not the individuals, unless they cheat and lie. Some of us are not so sure it is safe to be on a committee anyway, not accepting this assurance as a valid idemnity.
In Queensland, if you don't own property, you are not required to have PL insurance, whether you are incorporated or not. It is spelled out on the website of the Department of Fair Trading. Some of their links are broken (Sep 2002).
Some other systems invoke the "Yellow Pages" defence, and argue that, like the Yellow Pages, a LETSystem is nothing more than a list of contacts, and so cannot be sued for anything. Other systems, including BrisLETS, concede that we are more like a club than a publisher of lists.
The above is not to be confused with Legal Liability insurance, which is usually part of a normal householders building and
contents insurance policy. This provides cover against being sued for damages by guests or the
person delivering your mail. Insurance companies sell you this cover along with fire and general insurance.
It has little to do with LETS.
Return to BrisLETS home page.