The EML Group has been managing workers insurance and injured workers compensation claims in Australia for 110 years. Our timeline below shows the extraordinary history of where our group began and what we’ve achieved.

In 1910, we chose our EML mutual company structure as the best way to provide secure and cost-efficient insurance coverage. We invest considerable time, funds and resources into giving back to our members.

As we look towards the future, we continue to build on this value. We’ve helped generations of Australians cope with illness and injury in the workplace and we aim to be there for generations more.

110 years of service

2021

We secure a further five-year contract extension with ReturntoWorkSA (RTWSA).

WorkSafe Victoria extends the contract with us by two years and we gain market share of 6.87%.

2020

icare NSW extends the Agreement with us for 12 months to service the Nominal Insurer. The agreement includes claims service changes and a $20 million joint EML and icare investment program.

Successfully partnered with an insurer to enter the New South Wales Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance market.

2019

icare reappoints us to manage workers compensation claims for the Treasury Managed Fund (TMF) for the next three years.

2018

We commenced supporting 320,000+ businesses insured within the Nominal Insurer in New South Wales.

ACT Government chooses to partner with us as it moves to self-insure its most important asset, its 22,000-strong workforce.

2017

We released our general insurance - accident and health claims management offering to complement our statutory insurance claims business. This is intended to provide customers with a seamless claims management experience across all people insurance covers in single business.

2016

WorkSafe Victoria chooses us to become part of its panel of workers compensation agents.

EMLife launched as a specialist life insurance claims management service.

2015 We pioneer an industry-first mobile case management program in South Australia.
2013 We were awarded national contract to manage claims for Woolworths Limited under a self-insurance scheme, supporting over 220,000 employees nationally.
2012

ReturnToWorkSA extends our contract and we now manage 50% of their scheme.

Clubs NSW joins Hotel Employers Mutual Limited, and takes a 25% share of AHA NSW, and the industry owned workers compensation scheme provider changes its name to Hospitality Employers Mutual Limited – servicing the accommodation, hotels, pubs and clubs industry in NSW.

2011 icare Insurance for NSW expands our share of the scheme from 25% to 50%, managing claims for NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW and continuing to manage claims for NSW Health (South).
2010 We celebrated our centenary with over 1000 employees managing premium exceeding $1 billion.
2008 EML created Hospitality Employers Mutual Limited (Hospitality) to give NSW hotels and clubs an industry-owned workers compensation scheme provider.

Hospitality supports over 1600 accommodation hotels, pubs and clubs. It provides insurance through two brands – Hotel Employers Mutual (HEM) and Club Employers Mutual (CEM).

2006 With an expanded workforce of 540 employees, we are appointed sole agent for WorkCover South Australia (now ReturnToWorkSA).
2005

Our workforce grew to 240 employees.

Further expanding, we became an appointed claims manager of the NSW Treasury Managed Fund (now icare Insurance for NSW) for government employees.

2003 It was announced that we would manage the Coal Mines Insurance Industry Scheme and take on public liability for association schemes.
1995 We continued to manage claims for icare. The group had 35 employees managing a premium of $29 million.
1987 The underwriting of NSW workers compensation shifted to WorkCover NSW (now icare workers insurance) and we were awarded a license to manage these claims.
1964

The mutual achieved the incredible feat of an unbroken 54-year record of paying large rebates to policyholders.

Premium rebates from the 1920s to 1960s averaged around 50%, substantially higher than almost all other insurers of that time.

It was testimony to our success as a mutual specialist in workers compensation.

1932

The Great Depression saw the closure of many businesses and insurers but not our group.

Advertisements from this time stated our group “is still thriving, despite the depression and is paying its policyholders the usual substantial bonus refund”.

1927 The EML mutual structure was so successful that every policyholder received a 60% rebate off their premiums.
1926 The Master Carriers Mutual Indemnity Association Limited, Master Plumbers Mutual Indemnity Association Limited and the Master Bakers Mutual Indemnity Association merged to become Employers’ Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd.
1914 Two years later, the Master Carriers’ Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd began.
1912 The concept of workers insurance spread to other industries and the Master Plumbers’ Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd was formed.
1910 Employer and employee groups saw the need for appropriate benefits to be paid to workers who had been injured on the job.

A large baking business, Great Southern Bakeries, and the Master Bakers Association decided to provide workers compensation to the baking, plumbing and transport industries in NSW.

They established the Master Baker’s Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd, staffed by five employees.