WorkSafeBC’s sound financial position has enabled improvements in the workers’ compensation system for injured workers, while keeping rates stable for employers

B.C. employers will see no change to the average base premium rate from WorkSafeBC in 2025. For the eighth consecutive year, WorkSafeBC has set the average base rate at 1.55 percent of assessable payroll (or $1.55 per $100 of payroll).

Annual base premium rates are driven by provincial injury rates, return-to-work performance and the resulting cost of claims, as well as investment returns.

Each year, the costs in some industries go up, some go down, and others stay the same. In 2025, 59 percent of employers in B.C. will experience a decrease in their industry base rate, 33 percent will see their industry base rate increase, and 8 percent will see no change.

Maintaining rate stability through surplus funds

WorkSafeBC’s sound financial position in recent years has enabled improvements in the workers’ compensation system for injured workers, while keeping rates stable for employers.

Surplus funds have allowed WorkSafeBC to keep the average base premium rate below costs. For example, the average base premium rate of 1.55 percent for 2025 is less than the expected cost rate of 1.78 percent.

Between 2019 and 2025, WorkSafeBC projects that $2.5 billion of surplus funds will have been used to keep premium rates stable and below the expected cost to deliver services.

These surplus funds have largely been generated by higher-than-required investment returns.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, WorkSafeBC is seeing upward claim-cost pressures and a continued reduction in the surplus. If these trends continue, it could lead to a moderate increase in premium rates in the near future. WorkSafeBC will continue to closely monitor cost pressures and keep rates as stable as possible.

The Workers Compensation Act requires WorkSafeBC to set premium rates annually for employers to pay for the workers' compensation system. Premiums fund the costs associated with work-related injuries or diseases, health care, wage loss, rehabilitation, and administration.

The workers’ compensation system is independently funded by employer premiums and investment returns. WorkSafeBC does not receive any funding from the provincial government.

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More info: WorkSafeBC