Cross-Border WorkCover Compliance for Shearing Teams Travelling Interstate
- Future Accounting
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Written by: Melissa Cunliffe (CA)
Ensuring Worker Safety and Compliance During Seasonal Interstate Shearing
Seasonal shearing businesses rely on a mobile workforce that travels across New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania during peak periods. When teams regularly cross borders, understanding Cross-Border WorkCover Compliance becomes essential. Victorian employers must ensure that their workers remain properly covered, no matter where the season takes them. This friendly guide explains how WorkCover applies when your workers travel interstate, what the “state of connection” means and how to keep your business compliant while confidently supporting your team.
Understanding cross-border WorkCover compliance
Although your business may operate across multiple states, each employee can only be covered under one state’s WorkCover scheme at any time. For Victorian shearing contractors, coverage usually stays simple, most employees remain covered by WorkSafe Victoria, even when working interstate for short or seasonal periods.
With the right understanding of Cross-Border WorkCover Compliance, you can manage your travelling workforce confidently knowing your obligations are met.
How state of connection determines workers' compensation coverage
The key to correct WorkCover coverage is the State of Connection (SOC) rule. SOC determines which state’s WorkCover scheme applies to each employee. The test is applied in three steps:
Where the worker usually works
Most shearers still usually work in Victoria overall, even if they travel interstate
seasonally.
Where the worker is usually based
This is typically the place where instructions, rosters or employment-related travel
begins. For most teams, this remains your Victorian headquarters.
If still unclear, where the employer's principal place of business is located
As your headquarters are in Victoria, SOC usually defaults to Victoria.
In almost all seasonal shearing contexts, the SOC remains Victoria, meaning WorkSafe Victoria provides the correct coverage even when work is performed interstate.
When WorkCover obligations may shift to another state
Although uncommon, WorkCover obligations may shift to another state if:
- A worker performs the majority of their work outside Victoria over time
- A worker spends six months or more continuously working interstate
- A worker becomes usually based in another state (due to relocation or the
establishment of a permanent depot)
Short-term seasonal travel alone rarely changes SOC, offering stability for employers and workers alike.
How injuries are managed when employees travel interstate
If a worker’s SOC is Victoria, any injury sustained interstate is still a Victorian WorkCover claim. This means your business will:
- Lodge claims through WorkSafe Victoria
- Follow Victorian claim reporting and return-to-work requirements
- Support the worker under the Victorian system, regardless of injury location
Cross-Border WorkCover Compliance ensures employees remain protected and claims are handled consistently.
Safety responsibilities for employers with travelling seasonal teams
Your occupational health and safety duties follow your workers wherever they go. When employees work interstate or in remote areas, Victorian safety obligations still apply. Employers must ensure:
- Safe travel arrangements to shearing sheds
- Appropriate accommodation where provided
- Effective communication systems
- Fatigue management during intense shearing periods
- Accessible procedures for reporting incidents and seeking help
Keeping workers safe across borders strengthens compliance and protects your team.
Why strong documentation supports WorkCover compliance
Because seasonal workers often move between states, maintaining clear documentation is vital. Records help confirm the correct SOC and support your compliance position. Useful documentation includes:
- The worker’s usual base
- Travel patterns and roster details
- Length and frequency of interstate assignments
- Evidence showing where instructions originate
Good documentation removes uncertainty and helps you demonstrate your compliance if required.
Take control of your cross-border WorkCover compliance
Managing a travelling, seasonal workforce does not need to be complicated. With a clear understanding of Cross-Border WorkCover Compliance, you can confidently support your employees and operate smoothly across multiple states.
If you’d like personalised guidance tailored to your shearing business, we’re here to help. Book an appointment with our friendly team today and take the stress out of WorkCover compliance so you can focus on what you do best.
When in doubt
If you are ever unsure about Cross-Border WorkCover Compliance, WorkSafe Victoria and your WorkCover insurer are always the best sources of clarification. They can confirm State of Connection, provide guidance on correct coverage and help ensure that your business remains fully compliant. It is always advisable to reach out when uncertainty arises.
Disclaimer
This article does not constitute financial advice and is for general information only. It does not take into account any individual’s personal objectives, situation or needs, and is not intended as professional advice. Any similarity to an individual’s personal circumstances and the examples provided in this article is purely coincidental. Any person acting upon such information without receiving specific advice, does so entirely at their own risk.
Authorisation under an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) is not required in the provision of this article and the author plus Future Accounting Group Pty Ltd is not acting in its capacity as an Australian Financial Services Licence holder
Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.
