Joining the Accredited Employers Programme (AEP)

As an employer, you could reduce your Work levy by up to 90% through the Accredited Employers Programme (AEP). AEP lets you manage your employees’ injuries by ‘standing in the shoes’ of ACC.

This is a big responsibility and there are risks involved. AEP suits employers who pay an annual Work levy of over $250,000.

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    Changes to AEP

    6 July 2023 update

    We’re making improvements to AEP. These changes aim to put worker wellbeing at the centre of AEP. Better outcomes will be achieved by improving the oversight and guidance ACC provides to AEs. AEs will be recognised and rewarded for continually improving their performance. 

    To strengthen the programme, we will be refining AEP and providing further opportunities for key stakeholders to feedback over the coming months. 

    The new AEP framework will be effective from 1 April 2024. However, during the levy year 2024/25 Accredited Employers will have time to prepare and make any changes needed to start meeting the new requirements the following year. From 1 April 2025, all new requirements including performance monitoring come into effect.

    Read more about AEP changes

    If you have any questions about these changes, contact us.

    Email aepqueries@acc.co.nz

    How AEP works

    Joining AEP means you’ll be responsible for managing your employees’ injuries and claims if they have an injury at work. This includes:

    • making decisions on whether their injury is covered
    • paying all claims costs for their support, treatment and rehabilitation under the Accident Compensation Act 2001. Eg, paying weekly compensation when they can’t work
    • managing your employees' injuries and helping with their rehabilitation
    • making sure health and safety practices are in place in your workplace.

    Managing injuries and claims through a third party

    You can manage workplace injuries in-house, or you can subcontract a third party to help you. If you do use a third party, you're still responsible for how you manage your workplace injury claims.

    Are you eligible for AEP?

    You’ll need to show us that you have:

    • appropriate experience in workplace health and safety
    • demonstrated a commitment to injury prevention and rehabilitation
    • the policies, procedures, and resources for injury prevention, claims management and rehabilitation
    • the financial strength and stability to meet the costs of your employees’ cover and rehabilitation.

    How we check you’re meeting AEP requirements

    When you apply, we’ll ask you to send us a checklist of supporting information.  After that, you'll need to arrange an on-site audit. This is to make sure your business meets all the requirements for AEP.  An ACC approved independent auditor completes the audit. 

    View a list of ACC approved auditors

    If your application is successful, you’ll be audited every year.

    Benefits of joining AEP

    • You have the potential to save up to 90% off your Work levy
    • There are options to help limit your financial liability
    • By having good health and safety practices in place at work, you can prevent injuries. This means safer employees, less claims and lower costs to you
    • You’ll have more visibility of your employee's injury and can help with their recovery and a safe return to work 
    • We have a dedicated team who can support you with injury and claim management.

    You can calculate the levies you'll pay on AEP:

    Calculating your levy

    Risks of joining AEP

    • If one of your employees has a fatal or serious work injury, you could end up supporting them or their surviving dependants financially for the life of the claim. This may still apply even if you leave the programme
    • If you don't manage your injuries and claims well, the total cost of being in AEP could be more than what you would've paid if you weren't in AEP.

    How to join AEP – talk to us first

    To decide if AEP is the best option for your business, contact your Relationship Manager. If you don’t have one, email us with your business name and ACC number and we’ll get in touch.

    Email aepqueries@acc.co.nz

    Submitting your application and next steps

    After you’ve talked to us, we can send you an application form. We’ll let you know about the application process, what you need to provide, how long things will take and what the next steps are.

    Last published: 14 March 2024