Ask for the subcontractor's certificate of currency and check the insured entity, covered activities, policy dates, geography, limits, excess and exclusions against the job. A certificate is a snapshot, not a guarantee of cover, so confirm the policy with the authorised broker or insurer. Insurance requirements, especially workers compensation, vary by state and territory.[1][2]
What the law and contract can require
Business.gov.au says some insurance is needed by law depending on the business: public liability for certain occupations in some states and territories, and workers compensation if you have employees. It says workers compensation laws vary by state and territory and to check with your regulator.
Business.gov.au also says contracts should identify each party's insurance obligations and that contractors are often responsible for their own insurance, such as public liability. So the contract with your subcontractor is where you set what you require. We do not suggest a standard limit, because the right level depends on the work and your contract.
Verification checklist
This is our recommended workflow, not a legal requirement.
| Check | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Entity | Insured name and ABN match the business you are contracting with, not a different company or trading name |
| Activities | Policy covers the trade work they will do on your job |
| Dates | Policy period covers the whole job, with a diary note before renewal |
| Geography | Policy applies in the state or territory where the work is done |
| Limits | Limits and any sub-limits meet what your contract asks for |
| Excess | Excess is one the subcontractor can actually pay |
| Exclusions | No exclusion removes cover for the work (for example, specific activities or materials) |
| Job fit | Whole-of-job check against the scope, site and any head contract insurance clauses |
A certificate is a snapshot
A certificate shows what was held on the day it was issued. Business.gov.au suggests talking to a licensed broker or authorised insurer, and says you can find an authorised general insurer on APRA's register and check a broker's licence on ASIC's professional register. Contact the broker or insurer named on the certificate using details you have found yourself, and ask them to confirm the policy is current. We cannot say what any policy covers, and we do not recommend which policy to buy.
Sources[1]
Responsibility for subcontractor work
Business.gov.au says a contractor who engages a subcontractor is responsible for the subcontractor's work and has a separate contract with them. Discuss subcontracting with the hirer and write it into the contract. Record your insurance checks on the job file so you can show what you checked and when.
Sources[2]
Common questions
- Does a subcontractor need public liability insurance?
- Business.gov.au says some states and territories need public liability insurance for certain occupations, so there is no single answer for all subcontractors. Check your state or territory requirements and your contract, and ask a broker or insurer about the cover that fits the work.[1][2]
- Do subcontractors have their own WorkCover?
- Not necessarily. Business.gov.au says workers compensation does not cover sole traders, who may need their own insurance, and that a contractor may need workers compensation for workers they hire. Laws vary by state and territory, so check with the regulator where the work is done.[1]
Official sources
Checked 16 October 2026. Rules can change; use these sources to check the requirements for your job.
Related guides
- How do trade businesses distinguish employees and contractors?
- When must a tradie pay super for a contractor?
Job workflows for builders.
Put it to work on the next job
Leadhand keeps site checklists and forms with the job record, helping the office and crew find the checks recorded for that work.
See Leadhand job records