Photo: Adamina, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0COIDA registration
How to register with the Compensation Fund, step by step
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Who must register
The Fund's rule: an employer must insure its workers against occupational injuries and diseases, and must register within 7 days after appointing an employee — the Fund insures the workers, not the employer's business (Compensation Fund). Section 80 of the COID Act requires every employer carrying on business in South Africa to register.
- Companies, close corporations, non-profits, trusts and sole proprietors with employees.
- Domestic employers: the COID Amendment Act 10 of 2022 removes domestic employees from the exclusions, in force since 23 January 2026 (Proclamation 306 of 2026). The 2026 minimum assessment for domestic employers is R560 (Notice 3910 of 2026).
- Exempt: national and provincial government departments, and municipalities with an exemption certificate (Compensation Fund).
Some industries register with a mutual association instead: mining may move to Rand Mutual Assurance, iron, steel and metal industries must, and building and construction may move to Federated Employers Mutual (Compensation Fund).
Documents by type of business
| Business type | Attach to the registration form |
|---|---|
| Company | CIPC certificate, UIF proof of registration, ID copies of the owners or directors, proof of business address |
| Non-profit organisation (NPO) | CIPC certificate, UIF proof of registration, NPO certificate, ID copies of the owners or directors, proof of business address |
| Sole trader / proprietor | ID copy of the owner, UIF proof of registration, proof of business address |
| Trust | The Fund's page lists the category without the document list — ask [email protected] |
Source: Compensation Fund — obligations of the employer. The paper form is W.As.2 — Registration of an Employer with the Compensation Fund (gov.za).
How to register, step by step
- Online: go to the department's website, Online Services, ROE Online (cfonline.labour.gov.za), and register as an employer (Compensation Fund).
- Or by e-mail: complete the registration form (W.As.2), attach the documents in the table above and send it to [email protected].
- Receive your contract account number (99…) when the registration is finalised. Use it as the reference for every payment; a payment made without it may not be allocated (send the proof of payment to [email protected]).
- Submit the Return of Earnings every year and pay the assessment. The window for the 2025 assessment period was 1 April to 30 June 2026 — see COIDA and the Compensation Fund.
- Download your Letter of Good Standing once all fees are paid — see COIDA letter of good standing.
Changes to your registered details — name, address, nature of business, or no longer employing anyone — must be reported within 7 business days (Compensation Fund).
What registration costs and what it gives your workers
| 2026 figure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings per employee assessed, at most | R668,000 a year (from 1 March 2026) | Notice 3910 |
| Minimum assessment — employers | R1,621 | Notice 3910 |
| Minimum assessment — domestic employers | R560 | Notice 3910 |
What you pay is the assessment the Fund raises on your Return of Earnings; there is no separate registration fee on the Fund's page. In return, a worker injured or made ill at work claims from the Fund, and section 35 of the COID Act bars the worker from suing the employer for damages.
Clients that hire contractors should ask for the contractor's letter of good standing: if a contractor does not register or pay, the mandator can be made to pay the compensation and the outstanding assessments (Compensation Fund).
Where to send a registration question
Registration forms and questions go to [email protected]; a payment made without your 99… number goes to [email protected] with the proof of payment (Compensation Fund). The Fund's phone lines, call centre, SMS number and head office are listed on COIDA and the Compensation Fund (contacts page, seen on 29 October 2026).
Already insured?
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Frequently asked questions
How do I register for COIDA online?
On ROE Online (cfonline.labour.gov.za), reached from the Department of Employment and Labour website under Online Services. You can also e-mail the W.As.2 registration form with your documents to [email protected].
What documents do I need for COIDA registration?
For a company: CIPC certificate, UIF proof of registration, ID copies of the owners or directors and proof of business address. An NPO adds its NPO certificate; a sole proprietor sends ID, UIF proof and proof of address.
How long do I have to register with the Compensation Fund?
7 days after appointing an employee, according to the Compensation Fund's page on employers' obligations.
Do I need to register my domestic worker for COIDA?
Yes, since 23 January 2026, when the COID Amendment Act's change to the definition of employee came into force (Proclamation 306 of 2026). The 2026 minimum assessment for domestic employers is R560 (Notice 3910 of 2026).
How much does COIDA registration cost?
The Fund's page lists no registration fee. You pay the annual assessment on your Return of Earnings, with a 2026 minimum of R1,621 for employers and R560 for domestic employers, on earnings up to R668,000 per employee.
What is a COIDA registration number?
The contract account number the Compensation Fund issues when your registration is finalised. It starts with 99 and must be used as the reference for every payment.
Sources
- Department of Employment and Labour — Compensation Fund: obligations of the employer (registration, ROE, Letter of Good Standing, audits, mandators and contractors; seen 28 October 2026)
- South African Government — Register with the Compensation Fund (service page, form W.As.2; seen 29 October 2026)
- Department of Employment and Labour — ROE Online (cfonline.labour.gov.za): online registration, ROE submission, LOGS, Verify LOGS (seen 28 October 2026)
- Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993 — Government Gazette 15158 (gov.za): ss 80–89
- Proclamation Notice 306 of 2026 — commencement of the COID Amendment Act 10 of 2022, Government Gazette 53990, 23 January 2026
- Department of Employment and Labour — Notice 3910 of 2026, maximum earnings (R668,000) and minimum assessments (R1,621; domestic employers R560), Government Gazette 54577, 24 April 2026
- Department of Employment and Labour — Compensation Fund contacts: hours, phone, call centre, SMS, e-mail, address, fraud line (seen 29 October 2026)