Step 1 of 5
What is COIDA and why does it apply to you?
COIDA stands for the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. It protects workers who are injured on the job — and it applies to domestic employers in South Africa.
Mandatory since March 2021. As of 10 March 2021, all South African households that employ domestic workers, gardeners, nannies, caregivers, or drivers are required to register with the Compensation Fund. Non-registration leaves you personally liable if your worker is injured at work.
What does COIDA cover?
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Medical expenses if your worker is injured at work
e.g. your cleaner slips and breaks their wrist, your gardener is stung by a bee and has an allergic reaction.
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Temporary disability payments if they can't work
The Compensation Fund pays while they recover — you are not personally responsible.
✓
Permanent disability compensation
If your worker is permanently disabled due to a work injury, the fund compensates them.
✓
Death benefits for dependants
If your worker passes away due to a work-related injury or illness, their family receives benefits.
COIDA vs UIF — what's the difference?
UIF — Unemployment Insurance Fund
Monthly contributions (1% + 1%)
Covers job loss, illness, maternity
Paid to Department of Labour via uFiling
Worker and employer both contribute
COIDA — Compensation Fund
Annual assessment fee (employer only)
Covers workplace injuries and diseases
Paid to Compensation Fund via cfonline
Employer pays everything — no deduction from worker
Both are mandatory. Both are separate. Registering for UIF does not cover COIDA and vice versa.
💰 What does it cost?
Minimum annual assessment
R560
for domestic employers 2025/26
Tariff rate for domestic
0.96%
of annual earnings
Return of Earnings deadline
30 June
every year — late = 10% penalty
Registration deadline
7 days
after first employing someone
Step 2 of 5
Gather your documents before you start.
The Compensation Fund registration (CF-1E form) requires specific documents. Have everything ready before you open the portal to avoid stopping halfway through.
📋 What you need
Your South African ID number
Your 13-digit ID number as it appears on your ID document.
Proof of residential address
A recent utility bill, bank statement, or municipal account in your name — not older than 3 months.
Your worker's ID or passport number
Full name and ID/passport number. Valid work permit for foreign nationals.
Employment start date
The date your worker first started working for you.
Annual earnings estimate
Your worker's monthly salary multiplied by 12. e.g. R4,500/month = R54,000/year. This is used to calculate your assessment fee.
Your email address and cellphone number
For account verification and correspondence from the Compensation Fund.
A signed employment contract (recommended)
Not always required but strongly recommended. Use the Khaya Comply contract generator to create one.
No CIPC registration required. As a household employer you register as a sole proprietor using your personal ID number. You do not need a registered company to register for COIDA.
Multiple workers? You register once as a domestic employer. All workers are covered under the same registration. You declare all their combined earnings in your annual Return of Earnings.
Step 3 of 5
Register on the Compensation Fund portal.
Registration is done online through the CompEasy portal. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks — but your registration date is from the day you submit, so don't delay.
Open the Compensation Fund portal in a new tab: cfonline.labour.gov.za ↗. Use Chrome or Firefox for best results.
Follow these steps on cfonline:
1
Create an account on cfonline
Click Register or Create Account on the cfonline portal. Enter your personal details, email address, and cellphone number. You will receive an OTP to verify your account.
2
Select "Domestic Employer" as your employer type
When prompted to select your employer type, choose Domestic Employer. This gives you the correct forms and assessment rate (0.96% of annual earnings, minimum R560).
3
Complete the CF-1E registration form
This is the employer registration form. Fill in your personal details, home address, and contact information exactly as they appear on your ID and proof of address.
4
Add your domestic worker's details
Enter each worker's name, ID number, employment start date, and annual earnings (monthly salary x 12). Add all workers who work more than 24 hours a month for you.
5
Upload your supporting documents
Upload a certified copy of your ID and proof of address. Files must be in PDF or JPG format, under 5MB each. If you cannot certify documents digitally, the Fund may accept clear phone photographs.
6
Submit and note your reference number
After submitting, you will receive a submission reference number. Note this down — you will need it if you need to follow up on your registration. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks.
7
Pay your initial assessment fee
Once your registration is processed, the Fund will issue an assessment for your first year. The minimum for domestic employers is R560. Payment details will be provided in your registration confirmation email.
Registration confirmed? You will receive a CF registration number by email. Save it — you will need it on your annual Return of Earnings and if you ever need to report an injury.
Portal down or showing maintenance? The Compensation Fund portal goes down periodically for maintenance. In March 2026 the system was offline for about 2 weeks. If you see a maintenance notice, try again in a few days or contact the Fund directly at 0860 105 350.
Step 4 of 5
Annual Return of Earnings — what you do every year.
Every year between 1 April and 30 June you must submit a Return of Earnings to the Compensation Fund. This declares what you paid your worker during the year and determines your assessment fee for the coming year.
The 30 June deadline is hard. Late submission automatically triggers a 10% penalty on your assessment amount. Submit before 30 June every year — Khaya Comply will remind you in April, May, and June.
Annual Return of Earnings process:
1
Log into cfonline between 1 April and 30 June
Go to cfonline.labour.gov.za and log in with your account details.
2
Find "Return of Earnings" in the menu
Navigate to the Return of Earnings section. This is where you declare the previous year's earnings for all your domestic workers.
3
Declare actual earnings for the year
Enter the actual total earnings paid to each worker during the previous assessment year (1 March to end of February). Include salary, any bonuses, and overtime. Do not include UIF deductions.
4
Review the calculated assessment
The system calculates your assessment at 0.96% of declared earnings, with a minimum of R560. For a worker earning R54,000/year (R4,500/month), your assessment would be R518 — which rounds up to the R560 minimum.
5
Submit and pay
Submit your Return of Earnings and pay the assessment fee. Payment details and banking information are shown on the cfonline portal after submission.
📅 Annual COIDA calendar
1 March
New assessment year begins. Your registration covers this period.
1 April
Return of Earnings submission window opens on cfonline.
30 June
ROE deadline. Late submissions automatically attract a 10% penalty.
July+
Pay your assessment. Download Letter of Good Standing once paid.
Step 5 of 5
Troubleshooting — common problems and fixes.
The Compensation Fund portal can be frustrating. Here are the most common problems domestic employers face and how to resolve them.
🔧 Common problems
The Compensation Fund portal goes offline periodically — sometimes for weeks. This happens regularly around system updates and the ROE season. If the site is down, try again in a few days. If you're close to the 30 June deadline, call the Fund directly on 0860 105 350 to request an extension or submit by email to cfonline@labour.gov.za.
On cfonline, look for "Household Domestic Employer" or "Private Household" as the employer category. If you cannot find it, select "Other" and describe your situation as a household employer. Alternatively visit your nearest Department of Labour office and complete a W.As.2 form in person.
Call the Compensation Fund on 0860 105 350 with your submission reference number. Processing times can stretch during peak periods (April to June when ROE submissions flood in). Keep your reference number — this is proof that you submitted on time even if processing is delayed.
Submit as soon as possible even if you've missed the deadline. The 10% penalty applies automatically but it's far less costly than not submitting at all. Contact the Fund on 0860 105 350 — in some cases where there is a genuine reason for missing the deadline (such as the portal being down), penalties can be waived.
Report the injury to the Compensation Fund immediately — within 7 days if possible. Log into cfonline and submit a W.Cl.1 form (First Medical Report) and W.Cl.2 form (Employer's Report of Accident). The Fund will take over medical costs and compensation payments from there. Keep all medical documents and receipts.
Annual earnings = monthly gross salary x 12. For example, if you pay R4,500/month, the annual earnings are R54,000. Include any bonuses or 13th cheque payments. Do not include UIF deductions — declare the gross amount you paid before deductions. If your worker started mid-year, only declare the months they actually worked.
Compensation Fund contact details:
General enquiries: 0860 105 350
Email: cfonline@labour.gov.za
Online: cfonline.labour.gov.za
General enquiries: 0860 105 350
Email: cfonline@labour.gov.za
Online: cfonline.labour.gov.za
🛡️
You and your worker are protected.
COIDA registration is done. Submit your Return of Earnings every year before 30 June. Khaya Comply will remind you.
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