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Costs explained

How much does public liability insurance cost?

There’s no single price. Your premium comes from what you do, the size of your business, your claims history and the limit you choose, and then GST and your state’s stamp duty are added. Here’s how each part works, and how to see what your business would pay.

Stamp duty rates checked with every state revenue office
No made-up averages

Updated 28 October 2026General advice only

The short answer

Public liability insurance costs whatever an insurer charges for your particular risk, plus GST and, in most states and territories, stamp duty. A low-risk business with a $5 million limit pays far less than a high-risk trade with $20 million. The only reliable way to know your price is to compare quotes for your business.

You’ll see average premiums quoted online. We don’t publish one, because an average mixes very different businesses: a bookkeeper working from home and a roofer on a building site can sit in the same figure. Your quote depends on your details, not the average.

What makes up the price

What makes up the price
Part	What it is
Base premium	The insurer’s price for your risk. This is the part that changes most between businesses and between insurers.
GST	Added to the premium. In several states, including Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, stamp duty is then worked out on the GST-inclusive amount.
Stamp duty	A state or territory tax on the premium. The rate depends on where the business or risk is located (see the table below).
Excess	Not part of the premium, but part of the cost of a claim: the amount you pay towards each claim. Check it alongside the price.

Stamp duty on public liability, by state

Stamp duty adds a noticeable amount to a premium, and it differs a lot between states. These are the rates for general (business) insurance published by each state revenue office.

Stamp duty on public liability, by state
State or territory	Duty on the premium
New South Wales	9%. Public and product liability is exempt for a CGT small business entity (aggregated turnover under $2 million) that declares it to the insurer.
Victoria	7% on business insurance from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. It falls by 1% a year until it’s abolished.
Queensland	9% of the premium paid, including GST.
South Australia	11% of the GST-inclusive premium.
Western Australia	10% of the premium.
Tasmania	10% of the premium, including GST and levies.
Northern Territory	10% of the premium.
Australian Capital Territory	None. The ACT abolished insurance duty from 1 July 2016.

If your business is in NSW with turnover under $2 million, make sure you complete the small business declaration when you buy. Revenue NSW says only the insured person can make it, not a broker or agent on your behalf.

What moves the base premium

These are the details insurers rate on, and the reason our quote form asks for them.

Your occupationThe biggest factor. Insurers rate on your industry code: a roofer carries more risk than a bookkeeper.

The limit$20 million costs more than $10 million, which costs more than $5 million.

Turnover and staffMore activity and more people usually means more exposure.

Claims historyClaims or losses in the last five years can raise the price, or mean an underwriter needs to review it.

How you workWork at height, hot works, subcontractors, or work overseas.

ProductsMaking or importing goods, or selling into the USA or Canada, adds product risk.

Ways to keep the cost down, without cutting the wrong corners

Match the limit to what you’re asked for. Check your lease, contracts and permits. Paying for $20 million when nothing asks for it may be unnecessary. Choosing $5 million when a contract asks for $20 million can cost you the work.
Describe your business accurately. You must answer the insurer’s questions honestly. The wrong occupation can lead to a claim being refused.
Claim the NSW small business exemption if it applies to you.
Compare at renewal. Insurers price the same business differently, and your business changes from year to year.
Check the excess. A cheaper premium with a much higher excess can cost more when you claim.

When the cheapest quote isn’t the best one

Price is easy to compare. Cover is harder, so check these before you choose:

A lower limit than you need.If a head contractor or landlord asks for $20 million, a cheaper $5 million policy won’t get you on site.
Exclusions that hit your work.Some policies exclude work at height, certain trades or overseas work. Read the PDS for your activities.
Sub-limits.Cover for property in your care, custody or control can be capped at a lower amount than the main limit.
The excess.The amount you pay towards each claim varies between quotes.
Who the policy actually covers.Check that you, any business partners and any subcontractors you rely on are covered the way you expect.

See what your business would pay

Tell us what you doYour occupation decides whether you can compare online or a broker is the better fit.

Pick your limitAdd your postcode, turnover and staff, plus any other covers you want quoted.

Get your quotes by emailA licensed broker compares our insurer panel and emails your quotes. Read the PDS and TMD before you choose.

Public liability cost questions

How much is public liability insurance in Australia?

It depends on your occupation, turnover, staff, claims history, the limit you choose and whether you sell products, plus GST and your state’s stamp duty. Low-risk businesses pay much less than high-risk trades. Comparing quotes is the only reliable way to see your price.

How much is $20 million public liability insurance?

More than $5 million or $10 million for the same business, but the price still depends mostly on what you do. A $20 million policy for a consultant can cost less than a $5 million policy for a high-risk trade.

Do I pay stamp duty on public liability insurance?

In most states and territories, yes: from 7% in Victoria (falling each year) up to 11% in South Australia. The ACT doesn’t charge insurance duty. In NSW, public and product liability is exempt for small businesses with turnover under $2 million that make the small business declaration.

Why is my quote different from an average I saw online?

Averages combine very different businesses, limits and states. Your quote is priced on your own occupation, size, claims history, limit and location, which can put it well above or below any average.

How much is public liability for a sole trader?

The same factors apply. A sole trader often has lower turnover and no staff, which helps, but the occupation and limit still drive the price. Our sole trader guide covers what’s different for one-person businesses.

Keep reading

How much is $20 million public liability? Business insurance costs What is public liability insurance? Public liability vs PI Sole trader insurance Market stall insurance Paying less for public liability

More guides

Public liability for sole traders PI for consultants What is public liability?What is professional indemnity?Public liability vs PI Business insurance costs Do I need business insurance?$20m public liability cost

Sources

Rates checked 5 October 2026. Duty rates change; check the state revenue office before relying on them. General information only, not personal advice.

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