Examples

When do I need a household worker policy?

EXAMPLE A - cleaner (inside a private residence)

Mrs Smith engages a worker to clean her home once a week. The home is Mrs Smith’s private residence and the worker has been employed to clean inside it. The worker has been employed to work solely in and about the private residence. Therefore, a household workers’ insurance policy is required.

EXAMPLE B - garden maintenance (in the grounds of the private residence)

Mr Clark engages a workers to maintain his garden once a month. The garden maintenance is done in the grounds of Mr Clark’s private residence. The worker is employed solely in and about the grounds of a private residence, therefore a household workers’ insurance policy is required.

EXAMPLE C - childcare (work done away from the private residence)

David and Veronica Beck employ a worker to care for their child. The carer’s duties include driving the child to music and sports lessons, taking the child to play in a local park, and doing grocery shopping. While these duties are not done in and about the Beck’s private residence, they are all done in connection with the private residence. The carer in this case is a household worker because they work solely in and about, and in connection with the Beck’s private residence.

EXAMPLE D - renovation of house (in connection with the domestic residence)

Mr Mitchell is renovating his private home that he lives in. While the renovations are being undertaken, he will be living off-site. He plans to return to the house once the renovations are complete. As the house was Mr Mitchell’s private residence immediately before renovations began and will be his private residence once the work is complete, the house is considered as his private residence while the renovation work is being done. Any person employed to do the renovation work who is considered to be a ‘worker’ would also be considered to be a household worker.

A holiday home is considered as a private residence provided that it is not also used as a rental property. If the holiday home is used only as the employer’s private residence while on holiday, and not for any other purpose, workers employed in the holiday home may be household workers.

When does household insurance not apply?

EXAMPLE A - business activity conducted within the private residence

Alex Bright employs a cleaner at his private residence. Alex runs a photographic business downstairs at his home. The cleaner is employed to clean the entire house, including the business area. The cleaner is employed partly in connection with the business. As the cleaner is not employed solely in and about or in connection with the private residence, the cleaner is not a household worker. Alex would be required to cover them under a WorkCover Queensland accident insurance policy.

EXAMPLE B - rental property

Peter Rhodes owns a block of four units, which are rented to third parties. He employs Rob to perform maintenance duties for the property. As Rob is engaged in relation to a business (being the provision of rental accommodation), a Household Workers' Insurance Policy would not apply. A WorkCover Queensland accident insurance policy is required.

EXAMPLE C - construction of house

Ken and Natalie Denning are building a house, which they do not reside in. While the construction work is being undertaken Ken and Natalie need to cover the construction workers employed by them under a WorkCover Queensland accident insurance policy.

For more information about what type of insurance policy you need, please contact us on 1300 362 128.