Compensation Fund · COIDA
COIDA registration with the Compensation Fund
We register your business as an employer with the Compensation Fund, so your employees are covered for workplace injuries and diseases and you can obtain the Letter of Good Standing that tenders and clients ask for.
- Compliance Focused
- Clear Process
- POPIA Conscious
- Professional Support
COIDA Registration
Afri-Cafe service fee
R995
Once-off
Government fee
- No registration fee · Compensation Fund (Department of Employment and Labour)
What COIDA registration covers
The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) requires employers to register with the Compensation Fund, which falls under the Department of Employment and Labour. The Fund compensates employees for injuries and diseases arising from their work.
Registration is the first step. Each year after that, employers submit a Return of Earnings, pay the assessment the Fund calculates, and can then obtain a Letter of Good Standing — the document most tenders and larger clients ask for.
Who needs it
- Any business that employs one or more employees
- Contractors whose clients or tenders require a COIDA Letter of Good Standing
- Businesses taking on their first employees
Requirements and documents
Who can apply
- A registered business with a SARS tax reference
- One or more employees, or employees about to start
- A business bank account
Documents and information we'll need
- Company registration documents and directors' IDs
- SARS tax reference number
- Business address and banking details
- A description of the business's activities (used for industry classification)
- Number of employees and estimated annual earnings
What we handle — and what the authority handles
Afri-Cafe is an independent administration partner. We are not Compensation Fund (Department of Employment and Labour) and cannot make decisions on its behalf.
Afri-Cafe handles
- Preparing your employer registration with the information the Fund needs
- Describing your business activities accurately for classification
- Submitting the registration and following up
- Explaining your annual Return of Earnings and Letter of Good Standing obligations
- Handling the Return of Earnings and Letter of Good Standing when they fall due, if you'd like us to
Compensation Fund (Department of Employment and Labour) handles
- Registering the employer and issuing a registration number
- Classifying the business for assessment purposes
- Calculating annual assessments from the Return of Earnings
- Issuing Letters of Good Standing to compliant employers
Fees
Our service fee and the government fee are shown separately, so you always know what goes to the authority.
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Afri-Cafe service fee | R995 Once-off | Afri-Cafe |
| Compensation Fund registrationRegistered employers pay an annual assessment, calculated by the Compensation Fund from declared earnings and the industry rate, directly to the Fund. | No registration fee | Compensation Fund (Department of Employment and Labour) |
Government fees are set by the authority and can change. We confirm the applicable amount with you before anything is paid.
How it works
The process, step by step
- STEP 01
Business details
Tell us about your business activities and employees.
- STEP 02
Registration pack
We prepare your employer registration and supporting information.
- STEP 03
Submission
We submit your registration to the Compensation Fund.
- STEP 04
Fund processing
The Fund registers your business and assigns your classification. We follow up.
- STEP 05
Ongoing obligations
You receive your registration details and a reminder plan for Return of Earnings and Letter of Good Standing.
Registration times are set by the Compensation Fund and are outside Afri-Cafe's control. The Return of Earnings and Letter of Good Standing are later, annual compliance steps — they are not issued as part of the initial registration.
Common problems we help you avoid
Inaccurate business description
The industry classification affects your assessment, so the activities must be described accurately.
Earnings not declared
Without an annual Return of Earnings, you can't obtain a Letter of Good Standing.
Letter of Good Standing expired
Letters are issued for a limited period. An expired letter can disqualify a tender submission.
Registering late
Employers should register as soon as they employ staff.
Where to go from here
Related services
- CIDB registration
Construction contractors usually need COIDA proof and CIDB grading.
- CSD registration
Register as a government supplier.
- Business compliance services
PAYE, UIF, SDL and other employer registrations.
- Compare business setup packages
Employer registrations combined in one package.
COIDA Registration: frequently asked questions
Who must register for COIDA?
Employers with one or more employees must register with the Compensation Fund.
Is there a government fee to register?
The Compensation Fund does not charge a registration fee. Registered employers pay an annual assessment, which the Fund calculates from declared earnings and the industry rate.
Is the Letter of Good Standing issued with registration?
No. The Letter of Good Standing follows later, once the Return of Earnings has been submitted and the assessment paid.
Why do tenders ask for a COIDA Letter of Good Standing?
It shows the employer is registered with the Compensation Fund and up to date with its obligations.
Start my COIDA registration
Send us a few details and we'll confirm what's needed, the applicable government fee and the next steps.