Tradies Insurance Australia: Weekly News for Aussie Trades
Each week, we cut through the noise with a concise wrap of news that matters to Australian tradies, from insurance and regulation updates to safety, risk management and small-business trends. Expect clear context, practical takeaways, and expert voices to help you stay informed for the week ahead. No fluff, just reliable headlines and highlights tailored to worksites and workshops across the country.
This Week:
Paige Estritori wraps the week for Aussie tradies: NSWs inquiry hears fresh pushes to remove the Emergency Services Levy as building costs climb; Victoria tops the nation for break‑ins and car theft, with affordability concerns for public liability; an AFCA decision shows pressure‑washing damage can fall outside cover, highlighting the value of liability and accidental damage options; and from 1 October the RBA bans card surcharges, so tradies should update quotes and payment settings. Practical tips throughout on securing tools, avoiding disputes, and keeping cover aligned with rising costs.
Welcome to Tradies Insurance Australia: Weekly News for Aussie Trades, Im Paige Estritori, and its Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
First up, in New South Wales an inquiry into emergency services funding heard fresh calls to scrap the Emergency Services Levy, or ESL, on insurance policies. Industry leaders warned building costs keep climbing and the levy is pushing some homeowners and small businesses to reduce cover or walk away. For tradies, the risk is underinsurance. Take a moment this week to check your sums insured for tools, workshop contents and stock so cover keeps pace with rising replacement costs.
Meanwhile in Victoria, new data shows the state leads the nation for home break‑ins and car theft, and there are warnings public liability is becoming less affordable. That matters if your ute or van carries expensive gear, or you work where incidents can trigger claims. Keep tools off show, lock vans inside when possible, record serial numbers, and confirm your policy covers tools and commercial vehicles at work and overnight.
Also this week, a case before the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, reminds us how exclusions bite. A homeowner blamed roof damage on pressure‑washing, but the insurer said water intentionally sprayed during cleaning wasnt an “escape of liquid”, and wear and tear wasnt covered. For contractors, thats a nudge to review your public liability and accidental damage options, document pre‑existing defects with photos, and use work methods that reduce the chance of a dispute.
Finally, payments. From 1 October, the Reserve Bank of Australia, or RBA, will ban card surcharges on Visa, Mastercard and eftpos. If youve been adding a small card fee to invoices or tap‑and‑go jobs, youll need to update quotes, signage and payment settings. Consider folding those costs into pricing, and compare merchant plans so cash flow stays steady and premiums can be paid on time.
Thats the wrap. For clear options on public liability, tools and equipment, vehicles, income protection and more, head to trades-insurance.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—stay safe on site and Ill catch you next week.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
Recent insurance-sector commentary has put cyber risk back on the small business agenda, with attention turning to invoice fraud, email compromise, stolen devices and the way criminals target everyday payment processes. For Australian tradies, this is not just an office problem. Many trade businesses now run quoting, scheduling, banking, supplier accounts and customer communication from a phone, tablet or laptop that travels between the ute, workshop and job site. - read more
Recent insurance industry commentary has again highlighted the affordability challenge facing Australian policyholders, with premium pressure linked to natural hazard exposure, higher repair costs, reinsurance conditions, claims inflation and state-based charges. While much of the public debate focuses on households, the same forces can flow through to small trade businesses that rely on public liability, tools, vehicles, workshop contents and income-related cover to keep operating. - read more
New South Wales insurance buyers may be heading for an important change as reform of the Emergency Services Levy continues to attract attention across the insurance sector. The levy has long been added to many insurance premiums in NSW to help fund emergency services, and insurers have argued that this approach makes cover more expensive for households and businesses that choose to insure. - read more
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Income protection insurance is a vital safety net for those who earn their livelihood through skilled trades. It is designed to replace a portion of your income if you're unable to work due to illness or injury, ensuring that you can meet your financial obligations while you recover. This type of insurance provides peace of mind, knowing that even if the unexpected happens, your bills can still be paid and your lifestyle maintained. - read more
Commercial vehicle insurance is a specialised type of coverage designed to protect vehicles used for business purposes. It covers a wide range of potential risks including accidents, theft, and damage, ensuring the vehicles vital to your work are adequately protected. This form of insurance is tailored specifically to mitigate the risks associated with using vehicles for trade and business, offering peace of mind to business owners. - read more
Knowledgebase
Moral Hazard: The concept that individuals may take on more risk when they do not bear the full consequences of that risk, often relevant in insurance scenarios.
