COIDA for Domestic Workers: Employer Guide
COIDA for Domestic Workers: Employer Guide
Registration, compliance, and benefits for South African households employing domestic staff in 2026
Table of Contents
Domestic Employer Overview
If you employ a domestic worker — including a maid, nanny, gardener, cook, driver, or caregiver — you are an employer under South African law. This means you must comply with the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), just like any commercial business.
Many private households are unaware of this obligation. Failing to register your domestic worker with the Compensation Fund is a criminal offence and leaves you personally liable if the worker is injured or contracts a disease while working in your home.
How to Register as a Domestic Employer
The registration process for domestic employers is simpler than for commercial businesses. You need:
- Your South African ID document
- Proof of residential address (utility bill or lease agreement)
- Your domestic worker’s ID document
- The worker’s employment start date
- Estimated annual wages (salary × 12 months)
- Your banking details for assessment payments
Register online at the Compensation Fund Online Portal or complete a paper form at your nearest provincial office. Once registered, you will receive an employer reference number.
Unlike commercial employers, domestic employers do not need a CIPC registration certificate. The process is designed to be accessible for households.
Return of Earnings for Domestic Employers
Every year by 31 March, you must submit a Return of Earnings (ROE) declaring the total wages paid to your domestic worker(s) during the assessment year (1 March to end of February).
Even if you employ only one domestic worker for part of the year, you must still submit an ROE. Failure to do so results in penalties and suspension of your compliance status.
Assessment Rates & Payment
Domestic employers fall into a low-risk tariff class. The annual assessment is calculated as a small percentage of total wages. In practice, most domestic employers pay the minimum assessment, which is typically around R250 per year (subject to annual adjustment by the Compensation Fund).
Payment options:
- Debit Order: The easiest method. Set up a once-yearly debit order during registration.
- EFT: Pay directly using your employer reference number as the payment reference.
- At Provincial Office: Pay in person if you prefer.
For payment queries, email cfdebtors@labour.gov.za.
What If My Domestic Worker Is Injured?
Accidents can happen in any home. If your domestic worker is injured while performing their duties — for example, a fall, burn, cut, or back injury — you must:
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Report the accident to the Compensation Fund within 7 days using form W.Cl.2
- Give the doctor form W.Cl.4 (First Medical Report)
- Keep records of the incident and all medical visits
COIDA will cover the medical costs and provide temporary disability benefits if the worker cannot work during recovery. If the injury results in permanent disability, the worker may be entitled to a lump-sum payment or pension.
UIF for Domestic Workers
In addition to COIDA, domestic employers must register their workers for UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund). UIF provides short-term relief when workers become unemployed, unable to work due to illness, or on maternity leave.
Register your domestic worker for UIF through:
- UIF Registration for Domestic Employers — Our guided service
- The Department of Labour uFiling system
Both COIDA and UIF are mandatory. Compliance with both protects your worker and keeps you on the right side of the law.
Official Government Resources
Official links for domestic employer compliance.
Provincial Compensation Fund Offices
More COIDA Resources
Register Your Domestic Worker for COIDA Today
Protect your household and your domestic worker. We handle the entire registration and annual compliance process for private employers across South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register for COIDA if I employ a domestic worker?
Yes. South African law requires all employers, including private households, to register with the Compensation Fund if they employ one or more domestic workers such as maids, gardeners, nannies, or drivers.
How much is the COIDA assessment for domestic employers?
Domestic employers are classified under a specific low-risk tariff class. The annual assessment is typically a small percentage of total wages paid, often resulting in a minimum assessment of around R250 per year depending on earnings.
What happens if my domestic worker is injured at my home?
If your domestic worker is injured while working, you must report the accident to the Compensation Fund within 7 days. COIDA covers their medical expenses and provides disability benefits if they cannot work.
Mining or Metals? You May Belong to RMA
Employers in Class IV (mining) and Class XIII (iron, steel and metals) are administered by Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) – not the Compensation Fund. Read our RMA registration, ROE and claims guide, visit randmutual.co.za or see the AdminBoss RMA Return of Earnings guide.