Queensland extends prize money levy to offset insurance costs

Racing Queensland has extended the 1 per cent insurance levy on prize money from all thoroughbred TAB races for another year, with the measure to remain in place until June 30, 2027.

The levy was introduced in January 2024 as an 18-month trial to help trainers manage escalating WorkCover insurance premiums and has since been extended twice, having most recently been due to expire at the end of June.

Eligible trainers can claim reimbursements of up to 30 per cent of their WorkCover premium costs under the scheme, which was implemented after premium rates for the industry more than doubled between 2016 and 2025.

RQ said workplace injury claims during the 2024/25 financial year delivered an improvement of about 35 per cent in return-to-work outcomes, attributing the result to a greater focus on workplace health and safety initiatives.

The governing body has introduced an online workplace health and safety resource portal and rolled out programs including its Safe Footwear campaign in partnership with Ariat, while also noting the industry’s WorkCover classification rate has fallen by 2.6 per cent for 2026/27, the first annual reduction in almost a decade.

RQ will review the levy during the 2026/27 financial year before deciding whether it will continue beyond June 2027.