ACC for New NZ Employers: What You Must Know in Your First Year (2026)

Your ACC Obligations Start the Day You Hire

The moment a new New Zealand company employs its first person -- including the working director -- ACC obligations begin. Understanding how ACC levies work in your first year prevents cash flow shocks and ensures you are correctly covered if someone is injured at work.

ACC Levy Types for NZ Employers

1. Work levy: Charged on liable earnings paid to employees (and yourself as a working shareholder-employee). Rate depends on your industry ANZSIC code. High-risk industries pay more.
2. Earners levy: You deduct this from employee wages and remit via PAYE. In 2026 it is NZ.39 per NZ00 of liable earnings.

Work Levy Rates 2026-27

• Professional services, IT, consulting: approximately NZ/bin/bash.53-/bin/bash.70 per NZ00 of payroll
• Retail, hospitality: approximately NZ.00-.40
• Construction, trades: approximately NZ.40-.50
• Agriculture, forestry: approximately NZ.00-.00

If you are mis-classified, apply for a reclassification -- it can save thousands per year.

When Does ACC Invoice You?

In your first year, ACC estimates your levy based on projected payroll and invoices you 2-3 months into trading. You then true-up at year end based on actual earnings. If you significantly under-estimate your first-year payroll, you will receive a back-dated invoice.

CoverPlus vs CoverPlus Extra for Working Directors

As a working shareholder, you are automatically on CoverPlus: ACC covers 80% of your pre-injury income based on your last tax return. In your first year, you have no prior return -- ACC makes an estimate.

CoverPlus Extra (CPX) lets you choose a fixed agreed-value coverage level -- useful if your prior income history does not reflect your new business earnings potential. Most working directors of new NZ companies should get advice from their accountant on whether CPX is right for year one.

First Year Cash Flow Tip

Set aside approximately 1-2% of projected revenue in a dedicated reserve. ACC levies for self-employed directors are invoiced directly -- you will not notice them missing from payroll until the invoice arrives.

How Your Accountant Helps

An experienced NZ accountant will register you with the correct ANZSIC code, help set payroll estimates, review your CPX options, and factor ACC into your provisional tax modelling. If you are an accountant looking for a pipeline of new company clients who need this guidance, FreshFirms delivers daily leads of newly incorporated companies in your region.