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Business insurance in Victoria
Business insurance in Victoria follows the same covers as the rest of Australia, with Victorian rules on top: WorkCover through WorkSafe Victoria, the new Home Warranty scheme, licence insurance for electricians and plumbers, council limits in Melbourne and insurance duty that’s being phased out. Here’s what applies, and where to compare each cover.
- Victorian rules in one place
- Public liability, packs and tools online
- No phone number needed to request quotes
What insurance does a Victorian business need?
Most Victorian businesses hold public liability, a business pack for their premises and stock, tools cover if they work on site, and professional indemnity if they give advice. Which ones apply depends on what you do, your contracts, your lease and your licence.
The ABS counted 773,986 actively trading businesses in Victoria at 30 June 2026, up 2.6% in a year, and about two thirds of Australian businesses have no employees. Most of the requests for a certificate of currency described below come from that base of small operators.
The compulsory ones are WorkCover once you pass the payroll threshold or hire an apprentice, the TAC charge with your vehicle registration, Home Warranty on domestic building work over $20,000, and the licence insurance Victoria sets for electricians and plumbers.
Victorian rules worth knowing
| Rule | What it means | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| WorkCover insurance | Register with WorkSafe Victoria if you pay more than $7,500 in rateable remuneration a year, or hire any apprentice or trainee | Employers |
| Home Warranty | For eligible domestic building contracts signed from 1 July 2026 on work over $20,000, builders buy Home Warranty from the Building and Plumbing Commission | Registered builders |
| Electrical contractors | Energy Safe Victoria requires at least $5 million public liability | Registered electrical contractors |
| Plumbers | A licence isn’t issued or renewed without public liability and completed work insurance of at least $5 million, plus plumbing insurance for work that needs a compliance certificate | Licensed plumbers |
| Footpath trading in Melbourne | The City of Melbourne asks for $20 million public liability | Cafés, restaurants and street traders |
| Insurance duty | Duty on business insurance is 7% from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, falling by 1% a year until it’s abolished | Every business policy |
Compare each cover
Start with the cover your contract, lease or licence asks for, then add the rest in the same request.
Victorian industries we cover
Every industry page shows whether you can compare online or a broker arranges it.
How to compare business insurance in Victoria
Business insurance in Victoria: questions
Is business insurance compulsory in Victoria?
WorkCover is, once you pay more than $7,500 in rateable remuneration a year or hire an apprentice. Electricians and plumbers need licence insurance, and builders need Home Warranty on domestic work over $20,000. Other covers are set by contracts, leases and councils.
Is there stamp duty on business insurance in Victoria?
Yes, but it’s being phased out. Duty on business insurance is 7% from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, falling by 1% a year until it’s abolished.
How much public liability does the City of Melbourne ask for?
The City of Melbourne asks for $20 million for footpath trading. Other councils set their own limits.
What replaced domestic building insurance in Victoria?
Home Warranty, for eligible domestic building contracts signed from 1 July 2026 on work over $20,000. The Building and Plumbing Commission is the only provider.
Can I compare Victorian business insurance online?
Public liability, professional indemnity, business packs, tools, cyber and single-vehicle motor can be compared online. WorkCover, landlord and contract works are arranged by a broker.
Keep reading
More by state
Sources
- WorkSafe Victoria: Do I need to register for WorkCover insurance?
- Victorian Government: Home Warranty insurance
- Energy Safe Victoria: Registered electrical contractors
- Building and Plumbing Commission: Plumber insurance requirements
- City of Melbourne: Footpath street trading
- State Revenue Office Victoria: Insurance policies, current rates
- business.gov.au: Types of business insurance
- ABS: Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits, July 2022 to June 2026
Victoria