Joining the Accredited Employers Programme (AEP)
As an employer, you could reduce your Work levy by up to 90% through the Accredited Employers Programme (AEP). AEP lets you manage your employees’ injuries by ‘standing in the shoes’ of ACC.
This is a big responsibility and there are risks involved. AEP suits employers who pay an annual Work levy of over $250,000.
On this page
Changes to AEP
4 April 2024 update
We’re making improvements to the AEP. These changes aim to put worker wellbeing at the centre and provide better outcomes by improving the oversight and guidance ACC provides to employers. Employers will receive clear and up-to-date information on their performance, support, and incentives to continually improve.
The changes will come into effect from 1 April 2025. During the levy year 2024/25 employers have time to prepare and make any changes needed to start meeting the new requirements the following year.
If you have any questions about these changes, contact us.
Email aepqueries@acc.co.nz
How AEP works
Joining AEP means you’ll be responsible for managing your employees’ injuries and claims if they have an injury at work. This includes:
- making decisions on whether their injury is covered
- paying all claims costs for their support, treatment and rehabilitation under the Accident Compensation Act 2001. Eg, paying weekly compensation when they can’t work
- managing your employees' injuries and helping with their rehabilitation
- making sure health and safety practices are in place in your workplace.
Managing injuries and claims through a third party
You can manage workplace injuries in-house, or you can subcontract a third party to help you. If you do use a third party, you're still responsible for how you manage your workplace injury claims.
Are you eligible for AEP?
You’ll need to show us that you have:
- appropriate experience in workplace health and safety
- demonstrated a commitment to injury prevention and rehabilitation
- the policies, procedures, and resources for injury prevention, claims management and rehabilitation
- the financial strength and stability to meet the costs of your employees’ cover and rehabilitation.
How we check you’re meeting AEP requirements
When you apply, we’ll ask you to send us a checklist of supporting information. After that, you'll need to arrange an on-site audit. This is to make sure your business meets all the requirements for AEP. An ACC approved independent auditor completes the audit.
View a list of ACC approved auditors
If your application is successful, you’ll be audited every year.
Benefits of joining AEP
- You have the potential to save up to 90% off your Work levy
- There are options to help limit your financial liability
- By having good health and safety practices in place at work, you can prevent injuries. This means safer employees, less claims and lower costs to you
- You’ll have more visibility of your employee's injury and can help with their recovery and a safe return to work
- We have a dedicated team who can support you with injury and claim management.
You can calculate the levies you'll pay on AEP:
Risks of joining AEP
- If one of your employees has a fatal or serious work injury, you could end up supporting them or their surviving dependants financially for the life of the claim. This may still apply even if you leave the programme
- If you don't manage your injuries and claims well, the total cost of being in AEP could be more than what you would've paid if you weren't in AEP.
How to join AEP – talk to us first
To decide if AEP is the best option for your business, contact your Relationship Manager. If you don’t have one, email us with your business name and ACC number and we’ll get in touch.
Email aepqueries@acc.co.nz
Submitting your application and next steps
After you’ve talked to us, we can send you an application form. We’ll let you know about the application process, what you need to provide, how long things will take and what the next steps are.