Understanding the COIDA domestic worker deadline: what employers need to know about the 2025 ROEs

Employers of domestic workers in South Africa are currently facing an important COIDA domestic worker deadline to submit their annual Returns of Earnings (ROEs) for the 2025 period. This submission window runs from 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026. Failing to meet this deadline could result in penalties, including a 10% penalty for late submissions and interest on overdue accounts. This is a crucial aspect of ensuring domestic workers are covered under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), which provides protection for them in case of work-related injuries or illnesses.

key details for the coida domestic worker deadline

• What is the deadline? The deadline for employers of domestic workers to submit their annual Returns of Earnings (ROEs) for the 2025 period is 30 June 2026. The submission window opened on 1 April 2026.
• Who is affected? All employers registered under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), including households that employ domestic workers, are required to submit ROEs.
• What is a domestic worker? This includes cleaners, gardeners, household drivers, and caretakers of children, the elderly, or the frail in a private household.
• Legal Background: Domestic workers were previously excluded from COIDA. This changed following a Constitutional Court ruling on 19 November 2020, which declared their exclusion unconstitutional and invalid, with retrospective effect from 27 April 1994.
• When did coverage begin? Since 2021, domestic workers have been entitled to compensation under COIDA for injuries or diseases sustained while on duty.
• Formalisation of employment: Regulations in 2023 further formalised domestic workers as an employment category, making them eligible for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) as well.
• Employer Responsibilities: Employers must register their domestic workers with the Compensation Fund and contribute to it. Once registered, annual ROE submissions are mandatory.
• How to submit ROEs: The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) encourages employers to use its online portal for timely submissions.
• Penalties for non-compliance: Late submission of ROEs after the 30 June 2026 deadline will incur a 10% penalty. Interest will also be charged on accounts that are more than 30 days overdue.
• Changes in particulars: Employers must notify the Compensation Fund of any changes in their particulars (e.g., address, contact details) within seven days.
• COIDA Amendment Act: The COIDA Amendment Act, signed into law in April 2023, has brought further changes, including a shift to administrative fines for violations and extended injury claim periods. Some sections commenced in February and April 2026.
• Third-party registration: The compulsory registration date for third-party intermediaries transacting on behalf of employees, employers, or medical service providers with the Compensation Fund has been deferred from 1 March 2026 to 1 January 2027 due to online process finalisation.

a comprehensive look at the COIDA domestic worker deadline and its implications

The South African labour landscape has seen significant shifts to ensure comprehensive protection for all workers, notably including domestic workers under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA). A critical aspect of this change is the ongoing responsibility of employers to submit their annual Returns of Earnings (ROEs). Currently, employers of domestic workers in South Africa are reminded of the COIDA domestic worker deadline for the 2025 period, which commenced on 1 April 2026 and concludes on 30 June 2026.

The inclusion of domestic workers under COIDA was a landmark achievement, stemming from a Constitutional Court ruling on 19 November 2020. This ruling declared the previous exclusion of domestic workers from the Act unconstitutional and invalid, with its effects backdated to 27 April 1994. This pivotal decision followed a tragic case where a domestic worker, Ms Mahlangu, drowned while on duty, and her dependents were initially denied compensation due to her exclusion from the Act. Since 2021, domestic workers, encompassing cleaners, gardeners, household drivers, and caretakers, have been legally entitled to compensation for injuries or diseases contracted in the course of their employment. Further regulations in 2023 extended their social protection, making them eligible for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) as well.

Employers of domestic workers are now legally obliged to register with the Compensation Fund and make annual contributions. The submission of the Return of Earnings (ROE) is an annual requirement, detailing the domestic worker’s earnings for the previous year (1 March to 28/29 February). The Department of Employment and Labour strongly advises employers to utilise their online portal to ensure timely submission and avoid penalties. Failure to adhere to the 30 June 2026 COIDA domestic worker deadline for ROE submission will lead to a 10% penalty on the outstanding amount, with interest charged on any accounts overdue by more than 30 days.

Beyond the annual ROE submission, recent amendments to the COIDA Act, signed into law in April 2023 with sections commencing in February and April 2026, have introduced further changes. These include a shift towards administrative fines for violations, extending the period workers have to file injury claims from 12 months to three years, and enhancing rehabilitation frameworks to support injured employees’ return to work. Additionally, while third-party intermediaries (those who manage COIDA obligations on behalf of employers) were expected to register with the Compensation Fund by 1 March 2026, this deadline has been deferred to 1 January 2027 due to ongoing finalisation of the online registration process. These developments underscore the government’s commitment to strengthening worker protections and ensuring that domestic employment is treated with the same legal gravity as any other sector in South Africa. For more trending news and updates on labour laws and other important topics, you can visit Student Portal.

questions and answers regarding the coida domestic worker deadline

• What is the main deadline employers of domestic workers need to know right now?
  The main deadline is 30 June 2026 for submitting the annual Returns of Earnings (ROEs) for the 2025 period. The submission window began on 1 April 2026.
• Why are domestic workers now covered under COIDA?
  Domestic workers were included under COIDA following a Constitutional Court ruling on 19 November 2020. This ruling declared their previous exclusion unconstitutional and made the coverage retrospective to 27 April 1994, ensuring they have protection against work-related injuries or diseases.
• What happens if an employer misses the COIDA domestic worker deadline for submitting ROEs?
  Employers who miss the 30 June 2026 deadline for ROE submission will face a 10% penalty on the outstanding amount. Additionally, interest will be charged on any accounts that are overdue by more than 30 days.
• How can employers submit their Returns of Earnings (ROEs)?
  The Department of Employment and Labour encourages employers to use its official online portal for submitting their ROEs.
• Does the term “domestic worker” only refer to cleaners?
  No, the term “domestic worker” under COIDA is broad and includes cleaners, gardeners, household drivers of employer-owned vehicles, and individuals who care for children, the elderly, or the frail within a private household.
• Are there any other recent changes to COIDA that affect employers of domestic workers?
  Yes, the COIDA Amendment Act, which commenced in sections in February and April 2026, introduces administrative fines for non-compliance, extends the period for workers to file injury claims to three years, and emphasizes rehabilitation for injured employees. The registration deadline for third-party intermediaries has also been deferred to 1 January 2027.