COIDA registration requirements are simple to state: any employer carrying on business in South Africa who has appointed an employee must register with the Compensation Fund (the Compensation Commissioner), which sits under the Department of Employment and Labour. Registration is compulsory under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993, and failing to register is an offence.
To register for COIDA you either use the Fund’s online system (ROE Online, at cfonline.labour.gov.za) or complete the Fund’s registration form and email it with your supporting documents to [email protected]. Registration covers your workers against occupational injury or disease; it does not insure your business. The Act replaced the old Workmen’s Compensation Act, so “workmen’s compensation registration” today means registering under COIDA.
Business Requirements at a Glance
- Who registers: every employer carrying on business in South Africa that has appointed one or more employees, including domestic employers
- Who is exempt: national and provincial government departments, and municipalities holding an exemption certificate
- Where: the Compensation Fund, online or by email
- Documents: CIPC certificate, UIF proof of registration, ID copies of the owners or directors and proof of business residence (sole traders and NPOs differ slightly, see below)
- After registration: annual return of earnings, assessment, record keeping and accident reporting
- Result: a Contract Account (CF registration) number starting with 99
Registration and Legal Requirements
The Act requires an employer to register with the Commissioner within the prescribed period and in the prescribed manner (section 80 of the Act). The Fund’s employer guidance gives the window as 7 after appointing an employee but does not state the unit, so register as soon as you hire your first person and confirm the exact period with the Fund.
Domestic employers are included. Following a Constitutional Court ruling of 19 November 2020, employers of domestic workers must register and submit returns, using their own application form (see the documents section).
Registration matters because the penalties fall on the employer. If an employee has an accident and you are not registered, the Commissioner may fine you up to the full amount of the compensation payable, on top of other penalties. An offence under the Act carries a fine or up to one year’s imprisonment.
Contractors need care too. If a contractor fails to register or pay assessments, the contractor’s employees are treated as the principal’s employees and the principal becomes liable. Check that every contractor on your site is registered.
Documents and Ownership Information Required
The Fund’s guidance (Compensation Fund: obligations of the employer) lists what to attach to a registration, depending on your type of employer.
- Companies and other standard employers: CIPC certificate, UIF proof of registration, ID copies of the owners or directors, and proof of business residence
- Non-profit organisations: the same, plus an NPO certificate
- Sole traders and proprietors: ID copies of the owner(s), UIF proof of registration and proof of business residence (no CIPC certificate is listed)
- Private domestic employers: form CF-1E (application for the registration of the domestic worker employer), the employer’s ID, passport or work permit, proof of residential address, the employee’s ID, passport or work permit, and the employment contract, sent to [email protected] (see the Fund notice)
Because UIF proof is required, register with UIF first. The Fund does not list a SARS tax reference or a bank account among its registration documents.
Tax, Licence and Compliance Requirements
COIDA is not a tax, but the Fund assesses you every year. The assessment is a percentage of your employees’ annual earnings under the Commissioner’s tariff, and the Commissioner may levy a minimum assessment. The Fund’s employer guidance does not state a registration fee, so confirm with the Fund before paying anyone for registration.
- Records: keep records of wages, time worked and overtime for at least four years after the last entry
- Accidents: report an accident to the Commissioner in the prescribed manner within seven days of learning of it; failure can attract a fine of up to the full compensation payable
- Contractors: you can become liable for an unregistered contractor’s employees
- Changes: tell the Fund when your registered particulars change (see the next section)
Letter of good standing. Customers and tender authorities often ask for one. The Fund issues it only if you are registered, have submitted all returns of earnings, are fully assessed and have settled outstanding debt. Registered employers in good standing can now generate the letter online with their ROE Online login and 99 registration number (Fund guide to generating a letter). Each letter carries a certificate number so it can be validated.
Process, Deadlines and Ongoing Obligations
How to register. Go to labour.gov.za, choose Online Services and then ROE Online, or use the Compensation Fund online portal. The alternative is to complete the Fund’s registration form and email it with your documents to [email protected]. The Fund’s call centre is 0860 105 350. The Fund’s own page does not name the current form or give a download link, so ask the Fund for the current version rather than using an old copy.
Your CF registration number. When registration is finalised the Fund issues a Contract Account number starting with 99, 12 digits long. Use it as your payment reference, in all enquiries, and to link your business on ROE Online.
Changes. The Act requires you to notify the Commissioner within seven days of a change in your registered particulars; the Fund’s page says 7 business days, so act promptly.
Annual return of earnings (ROE). Every registered employer submits a statement of earnings each year for 1 March to the end of February, stating the nature of the business, number of employees and amounts paid. Supporting documents are uploaded at submission, including a Confirmation of Employer Details form and a detailed payroll report. The filing window is set by notice each year. For the 2025 season (earnings 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026) it ran from 1 April to 30 June 2026 (Fund notice) and has closed. Check the portal for the next window. If the Fund flags your return for audit, it may ask for items such as your EMP 501, payroll report, annual financial statements and an affidavit explaining any variance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for COIDA registration?
You must be an employer in South Africa with at least one employee, and you submit the Fund’s registration online or by email with your CIPC certificate (not for sole traders), UIF proof of registration, owner or director ID copies and proof of business residence.
Do I have to register for COIDA?
Yes, if you have appointed one or more employees. Only national and provincial government departments and municipalities with an exemption certificate are excepted.
What are the COIDA registration forms?
Standard employers register online or use the Fund’s registration form emailed to [email protected]. Private domestic employers use form CF-1E. Ask the Fund for the current form before you complete one.
What is a CF registration number?
It is the Contract Account number the Fund issues once your registration is finalised. It starts with 99 and has 12 digits, and you use it as your payment reference and for enquiries.
What happens if I do not register?
Not registering is an offence. If an employee is injured, the Commissioner may fine you up to the full compensation payable on top of other penalties.
What is a letter of good standing?
It confirms that you are registered, have filed your returns, are fully assessed and have no outstanding debt to the Fund. Registered employers can generate it online.
Is COIDA the same as UIF?
No. COIDA covers occupational injury and disease, while UIF covers loss of income. Both are compulsory employer registrations, and you need UIF proof to register for COIDA.
Confirm current registration steps, forms and filing windows with the Compensation Fund through the portal, [email protected] or 0860 105 350. See business and compliance requirements and browse company registration requirements.