When Injury Stops the Work: ACC for Self-Employed Crew

For many screen workers, being self-employed is just part of the job. You might be invoicing production companies, moving between contracts, managing your own tax, claiming expenses, and working across busy and quiet periods.

That flexibility can work well, until an injury stops you from working.

ACC weekly compensation can help cover lost income while you recover. Here is what you need to know.

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The basics

If you are self-employed - invoicing as an individual, sole trader, or through a partnership - ACC will generally pay up to 80% of your pre-injury earnings, before tax and deductions.

If you work through a limited liability company, different rules may apply. Check with ACC directly to understand how your cover works.

There is also a maximum payment amount, set by law and updated each year. Check the current cap at acc.co.nz, as no payment will exceed it regardless of your income.

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Your tax return is what ACC uses

ACC calculates your weekly compensation based on your self-employed earnings after expenses, from your most recently filed tax return.

This means what you declare matters. If your filed earnings are low - because of a quiet year or high expenses - your weekly compensation may be lower than you expect, unless you have CoverPlus Extra.

If you have not filed your tax return yet, temporary payments may be available while you get it sorted. Call ACC on 0800 101 996 to talk through your options.

Once you do file, ACC will recalculate. If you were underpaid, they will make up the difference. If you were overpaid, they will ask for it back.
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CoverPlus Extra gives you more certainty

Standard CoverPlus - what most self-employed people have automatically - bases your payments on your filed earnings.

CoverPlus Extra is different. It is an optional paid policy where you choose your level of cover in advance. If you have it, your weekly compensation is based on 100% of that agreed amount, regardless of what your last tax return shows. Your policy must be active at the time of your injury and throughout your recovery.

For screen workers with variable income or high expenses, CoverPlus Extra can be worth considering. We covered it in detail earlier in this series.
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You may still qualify even if your earnings look low

If you worked 30 hours or more per week in the four weeks before your injury, or were set up to pay ACC levies as a full-time self-employed person, a minimum weekly compensation rate may apply - even if your declared earnings are low. Worth raising with ACC if you think it applies to you.
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Tell ACC if you keep earning

If you earn any income while receiving weekly compensation - from a job, reduced duties, admin work, or business activity - ACC will adjust your payments. This is called abatement, and it applies whether the amount is large or small.

Tell ACC as soon as possible. If you are overpaid, they will ask for it back. ACC also recommends talking to Inland Revenue about a secondary tax code to make sure you are paying the right amount of tax.

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‍When payments stop

Payments stop when you are able to return to the work you were doing before your injury, or when your health provider confirms you are able to. ACC will let you know if payments stop for any other reason.
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‍Simple checklist

• File your tax return with Inland Revenue as soon as you can
• Apply for weekly compensation at acc.co.nz or call 0800 101 996
• Check whether you need CoverPlus Extra
• Keep your medical certificates up to date - upload via MyACC at my.acc.co.nz
• Tell ACC straight away if your income changes while you are recovering

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The rules can get detailed depending on your situation, but the starting point is simple: file your return, apply early, and keep ACC in the loop. That gives you the best chance of getting the right support when you need it.

This article is general information only. Your entitlement can depend on your individual situation, so check directly with ACC if you are unsure.

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