For decades, domestic workers in South Africa were unfairly excluded from the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. That ended in 2020 when the Constitutional Court, in the landmark Mahlangu v Minister of Labour case, declared the exclusion invalid with retrospective effect from 27 April 1994. The COIDA Amendment Act was signed into law in April 2023, and the 2026 commencement gazette activated all enforcement provisions on 23 January 2026.

What does this mean for you? If you employ a cleaner, gardener, nanny, caregiver, cook, or driver in your private home, you are now a statutory employer under COIDA. You must register with the Compensation Fund, submit an annual Return of Earnings, and pay assessment fees. Failure to do so is no longer a grey area — it is an offence with real financial consequences.

Who Must Register as a Domestic Employer?

• Households employing a domestic worker who works more than 24 hours per month.
• Families with a full-time nanny, au pair, or childminder.
• Homeowners employing a gardener, pool service worker, or handyman regularly.
• Households employing a driver, carer for elderly family members, or cook.
• Landlords employing permanent cleaning staff for rental properties.
• Any private residence where one person performs domestic duties for another.

If this describes your household, you have a legal obligation to act. AdminBoss registers domestic employers quickly and correctly across all provinces, handling the paperwork so you avoid home inspections and penalties.

Step 1: Complete the Registration Form

Domestic employers can use the Compensation Fund online portal or submit a manual form. Some provinces require the CF-NE (Domestic Employer Notification) form. Check with your nearest Department of Employment and Labour office.

Step 2: Attach Certified Documents

• Your certified ID copy.
• Your domestic worker’s certified ID or passport copy.
• Proof of your residential address (municipal bill or bank statement).
• Signed employment contract or letter of appointment.

Step 3: Submit Online or In Person

Online: Visit cfonline.labour.gov.za, create a profile, and upload scanned documents. This is the fastest method.

In person: Visit your nearest provincial labour centre with original documents and certified copies. Request a receipt.

By email: Some provinces accept emailed applications. Send to RegistrationCF@labour.gov.za with all documents attached as PDFs.

Step 4: Wait for Your CF Number

Processing takes 5 to 15 working days. You will receive an SMS or email with your employer reference number. Save this — you need it for every future submission.

Under COIDA, if your domestic worker suffers an injury or occupational disease in your home or during work-related activities, you have specific legal duties. Failure to follow these steps can result in penalties equal to the full compensation amount.

Immediate Actions You Must Take

• Report within 7 days: Submit form W.CI.2 to the Compensation Fund within 7 days of the accident. Late reporting now triggers automatic penalties.
• Continue paying wages: You must continue paying your domestic worker for the first 3 months of temporary disability. You claim this back from the Fund later.
• Medical form W.CI.4: Ensure the treating doctor completes and submits the medical report.
• Keep records for 5 years: Under the 2026 amendments, you must retain accident records for 5 years.

What the Compensation Fund Covers

• Full medical expenses including hospitalisation, surgery, and medication.
• Temporary disability benefits (income replacement after the first 3 months).
• Permanent disability lump-sum or pension if the worker cannot fully recover.
• Death benefits to dependants if the worker dies from a work-related injury.
• Funeral expenses.

Critical 2026 change: You can no longer deny a claim by arguing the worker was at fault. The amendments removed the “wilful misconduct” defence. Even if the worker made a mistake, they are entitled to compensation.

What this means for you: If you pick up your domestic worker, drop them off, or pay for their taxi to work, you are legally responsible for their safety during that journey. Registration is your only protection against catastrophic medical bills.

Many domestic employers are unaware of this change. The Department of Employment and Labour has explicitly warned that transport-related claims are increasing, and unregistered employers are being held personally liable. Do not let your kindness in providing transport become a financial disaster.