How a simple, low-cost policy closes one of the most overlooked gaps in workplace protection.
Every working day, your team makes the same trip – out the front door, onto the road or public transport, and into work. It’s so routine that few of us stop to consider what happens if one of those journeys ends in a serious accident. Yet an injury on the way to or from work can leave an employee unable to return for months, or permanently, with all the financial and operational fallout that follows.
Many business owners assume Workers’ Compensation has this covered. In most of Australia, it does not. That gap is exactly what Journey Cover is designed to fill.
What is Journey cover?
Journey Cover is a group personal accident policy that protects your employees while they travel directly between home and work. If an insured worker suffers a serious injury – or worse – during that commute, the policy provides a lump sum payout or ongoing weekly benefits to support them and their family through recovery.
Cover applies from the moment an employee leaves their home and travels directly to their normal workplace, and again on the return journey home. It typically applies to all employees aged 16 – 65, on a worldwide territorial basis, at a fraction of the cost of individual policies.
The Workers’ Compensation gap
Whether a commuting injury is covered by Workers’ Compensation depends entirely on which state or territory you operate in – and the rules vary considerably. In several jurisdictions, an ordinary commute is not covered at all.
| State / Territory | Ordinary journey to / from work |
| Queensland & ACT | Generally covered – an ordinary commute is included. |
| NSW & NT | Covered only in limited circumstances – you must show a “real and substantial connection” between the journey and employment. |
| VIC, SA, WA, TAS & Comcare | Not covered – ordinary commutes are generally excluded from Workers’ Compensation. |
Note: Travel for work purposes (between sites, client visits, on-call) is generally covered in every scheme. It is the everyday home-to-work commute where the gap sits. Rules change over time and each claim is assessed on its facts.
The takeaway is simple: for most employers outside Queensland and the ACT, if a staff member is hurt travelling to work, there may be no Workers’ Compensation safety net at all. Journey Cover steps in exactly where your state’s scheme leaves off.
Why it matters for your business
An uncovered commuting injury creates real exposure on several fronts:
- People first. A serious injury can leave a valued employee – and their family – facing lost income and mounting costs with no support.
- Financial impact. Lost productivity, replacement staffing and recruitment costs add up quickly when a key person is out for months.
- Operational disruption. Even a short absence can strain a small team and delay client work.
- Duty of care & culture. Providing this protection signals to your people that their wellbeing genuinely matters.
More than a lump sum
A good Journey Cover policy goes well beyond a single payout. Cover can include a lump sum for death and capital benefits, and weekly income support of up to 85% of income (to a policy maximum) while an employee recovers. On top of that, leading policies bundle a wide range of additional support benefits, such as:
- Rehabilitation expenses – helping employees recover and return to work.
- Funeral expenses – easing the financial burden on families.
- Independent financial advice – helping secure a family’s future after a serious event.
- Additional benefits for dependent children – education, orphan and childcare support.
- Return-to-work and replacement staff benefits – easing the operational impact on your business.
Surprisingly affordable
Because Journey Cover is arranged as a single group policy, it protects your entire team for a modest premium – far less than individual accident policies. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to add a meaningful layer of protection for your people.
Where to from here?
Closing the commute gap is straightforward. As your risk advisers, we can review your current Workers’ Compensation position, identify where your state’s scheme leaves you exposed, and arrange Journey Cover tailored to your team – usually within a single conversation.
To find out how Journey Cover could protect your people, get in touch with the Omnisure team today. We’re here to make sure your business – and the people who drive it – are well protected, both on the job and on the way there.
Important: This information is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial product advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider the appropriateness of the information and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination, and seek advice from your broker. Workers’ Compensation rules vary by state and territory and change over time; each claim is assessed on its individual facts.
