St. John’s, NL – WorkplaceNL’s 2027 average assessment rate will decrease by 4.0 per cent to $1.66 per $100 of assessable payroll, down from $1.73 in 2026. The rate continues to include a temporary discount of $0.21.
Individual employers’ rates will vary based on the claims experience of their industry group and their workplace.
The assessment rate is set each year to cover the estimated benefits to workers injured in the year and cost to administer the system. The lower average base assessment rate for 2027 reflects growth in employer payroll, which spreads costs across a larger base.
The Injury Fund was 139.5 per cent funded at December 31, 2025. This strong financial position, driven largely by investment performance, also allows WorkplaceNL to continue to apply a discount to set the average assessment rate below the projected cost of the compensation system.
Since 2019, the discount has saved employers in Newfoundland and Labrador about $160 million, while benefits and services to workers have improved and investments in safer workplaces continued.
“Every workplace injury has an impact on a worker, their family and their employer. An all-time low lost-time injury rate and fewer workplace injury claims in our province last year are positive signs, and they reinforce the importance of continuing to work together to make workplaces safer,” said Elizabeth Lane, CEO, WorkplaceNL. “The lower average assessment rate for 2027 helps reduce costs for employers, while supporting our goal of maintaining a sustainable workers’ compensation system that protects benefits for workers and provides coverage for employers.”
Employers can earn PRIME refunds to further lower their assessments by meeting program requirements for workplace safety and return to work. Since January 1, 2026, PRIME Path 2 employers require a 15-element occupational health and safety program to qualify for refunds. WorkplaceNL has resources and audit guides to help. Learn more at www.workplacenl.ca/prime.
Effective January 1, 2027, the Maximum Compensable and Assessable Earnings (MCAE) will increase by 2.3 per cent for 2027, from $80,935 to $82,800.
The MCAE is the maximum earnings insured per worker. Wage-loss benefits for workers submitting a new claim in 2027 whose pre-injury earnings are $82,800 or more will be calculated using this new limit. WorkplaceNL adjusts the MCAE each year based on the average Consumer Price Index.
Notices of individual assessment rates for employers will be available online in November through MyWorkplaceNL.