Public Liability Insurance NSW
Local agents based in Sydney
Flexible payment options – monthly or annually
Range of covers to suit your needs
What you need to know about Public Liability insurance in NSW
Plenty of people choose to make New South Wales their home – almost one third of the entire country, in fact. NSW is also the choice for many small businesses, with 34% of the country’s SMEs based here.
Whether you’re an IT wizard from Burwood, a dog groomer from the Blue Mountains or a café owner in Thredbo, Public Liability insurance is something your NSW business should consider.
Public Liability insurance is designed to provide protection for you and your business in the event a customer, supplier or a member of the public is injured or sustains property damage as a result of your negligent business activities.
Your Public Liability insurance policy also provides your business some much needed financial protection if you are faced with a claim. It will cover compensation payable to a third party as well as the associated legal costs. One less hassle you don’t have to worry about.
Learn more about Public Liability insurance and how it may help you.
Stamp duty concession for NSW small businesses
On 1 January 2018, the NSW Government introduced legislation to make insurance more affordable for small businesses by providing a stamp duty exemption on certain insurance products. The exemption applies to Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, and Product Liability insurance.
To be eligible (at the time of publication), you must be a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) small business entity and have an aggregated turnover of less than $2 million for the income year in which the insurance is affected or renewed. If you qualify for the exemption, tick ‘Yes’ to the eligibility question when obtaining a quote online and the concession will be automatically applied.
For more information on the NSW Stamp Duty Concession visit the Revenue NSW website.
What is typically included with Public Liability insurance?
- Personal injury suffered by a third party (e.g. a customer, supplier or member of the public).
- Damage to property owned by a third party due to your negligent business activities.
- Legal and defense costs associated with a covered claim.
What is typically NOT covered?
- Injuries to your employees.
- Damage to your own property.
- Costs of rectifying faulty workmanship.
- Professional negligence.
- Contractual liability.
- Events occurring before or after the policy period.
How much do trades and services pay for Public Liability insurance?
The amount a small business operating in the trades and services industry in New South Wales can vary. Popular trades in NSW such as plumbers, carpenters, handymen, electricians and painters can expect their Public Liability insurance premium to start from $43 per month^. There is a wide variety of occupations classified within this industry, with each occupation having its own level of risk. This means premiums will vary.
To provide you with more insight, we have provided analysis of 5of the most common Trades and Service occupations in New South Wales and their individual average monthly premiums below.
| Occupation | Starting From^ |
|---|---|
| Plumber/Plumbing and Gas Services | $60.11 |
| Carpenter/Carpentry Services | $43.62 |
| Handyman (excluding gas, plumbing and electrical works requiring a license) | $43.62 |
| Electrician/Electrical Services | $43.62 |
| Painter/Decorator | $43.62 |
^ The pricing information provided is based on insurance quotes available through the BizCover platform as of April 2025. The quotes reflect indicative premiums for sole traders with annual revenue up to $50,000, a coverage level of $5 million, and an excess of $500. This information is intended as a general guide only and does not constitute personal financial advice. It does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, or business needs. All pricing includes applicable monthly platform and credit card fees and is subject to change without notice.
How much do retailers pay for Public Liability insurance?
The average amount a small business retailer can expect to pay for Public Liability insurance in New South Wales is around $60 per month*. There are many business types that are classified as retailers, from toy stores and florists to clothes stores or catering services. Each business type has its own level of risk, meaning premiums will vary.
How much do professionals pay for Public Liability insurance?
The term ‘professionals’ encompasses a broad range of occupations that usually require specialist training and qualifications. On average, professionals can pay $37 per month* on their Public Liability insurance. Think engineers, real estate agents, business consultants, accountants and bookkeepers and recruiters. . Each profession has its own level of risk, meaning premiums will vary.
Our analysis below highlights the average monthly premiums for 5 of the most frequently held professional occupations in New South Wales.
| Industry | Average Monthly Premium* |
|---|---|
| Engineering Services | $59.13 |
| Real Estate | $42.26 |
| Recruitment and Placement Services | $37.42 |
| Business Consultants | $34.28 |
| Bookkeeping Services | $17.76 |
Why choose BizCover for your Public Liability insurance in NSW?
Australia’s No.1 online insurance business
We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of businesses in Australia with their insurance.
Clear and competitive pricing
You can compare and choose from a range of competitive prices.
Built for small business
We know insurance and what makes small businesses tick.
Cover to match your needs
You can tailor policies from selected leading Australian insurers to suit the needs of your business.
Your Cover Options
With BizCover you can choose Public Liability policies from 3 limits of liability (levels of cover): $5 million, $10 million or $20 million.
Policies are tailored to the unique needs of individual businesses. One business may require a different amount of cover compared to another.
When deciding on how much cover you should have a think about factors like:
- Do any of your contracts require a minimum level of Public Liability cover?
- Has your industry body set a minimum level of Public Liability cover for membership?
- Does your business or trade license require a minimum amount of Public Liability cover?
- What kind of accidents could occur due to your business operations and what could be the potential cost of a claim?
Frequently asked questions
If your business involves working with third-parties like customers, suppliers and members of the public, then you may want to consider Public Liability insurance. It is designed to protect a wide variety of business – anyone from newsagents in Newcastle to barbers in Bondi and mechanics in Mount Druitt.
In some industries, Public Liability insurance may be a legal requirement. For example, if you decide to lease commercial premises then you may be required to hold Public Liability insurance as part of your lease agreement.
Public Liability insurance is a form of cover that protects all different types of businesses from landscapers to hairdressers. Every business is different and has its own exposure to potential risks, so there isn’t a standard price for Public Liability insurance.
The most accurate way to find out how much Public Liability insurance is going to cost your NSW business is by having a chat to our team at BizCover.
You can have peace of mind knowing that your Public Liability insurance policy protects you anywhere in Australia. So you can work anywhere from Batemans Bay to Birdsville!
*Customer Average Monthly Payment Report is based on 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 and presented as a guide only. It may not reflect pricing for your particular business, as individual criteria will apply.
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