Tradesmen are either employees or business owners.

If they are business owners they will have their own an ABN and might operate either as a sole trader, as a partnership or under their own Company (Pty Ltd) structure.

Public Liability insurance –
a)  if you are operating your own business as a subcontractor, you will usually need your own business insurance cover, as most businesses’ policies, including main contractor’s policies, exclude any claims for damage that a subcontractor causes.
b) only employees, who get income tax taken out of their weekly or monthly pay before they receive it, would be covered under their employer’s policy if they caused damage and were working for their employer at the time of the incident.

In the event of an incident, the legal system, after hearing the case, establishes who was responsible for the damage. If the individual(s) or other entity considered responsible does not have Public Liability insurance, they would have to pay the settlement out of their own assets.

Tools, Business Equipment and materials –
These can be included in the business insurance policy, to be covered at the tradesman’s business premises or home and/or covered in transit to a workplace.
Many other options can also be included in a tradesman’s policy.
See Business Insurance Package insurance in Businesses

Commercial Motor Vehicles, earthmoving plant, etc – see Businesses

Workers Compensation –
In Queensland this is provided by WorkCover Queensland. Employers must take out an insurance policy with WorkCover so that their employees are covered. Call WorkCover Queensland on 1300 362 128 or go to www.workcoverqld.com.au for further informationBusiness owners are usually excluded, except where they are subcontractors supplying only their labour, and are not supplying their own tools, equipment or materials for the work. Other States and Territories have different rules, and other insurance options.

Income Protection, also called Sickness & Accident Insurance – See Business Owners for details.

Life Insurance – See Business Owners for details.

Trauma Insurance - See Business Owners for details.