Newfoundland & Labrador raises workers' compensation maximum assessable earnings to CAD 80,935

Effective January 1, 2026, WorkplaceNL increased the maximum annual assessable earnings cap from CAD 79,345 to CAD 80,935. This cap determines the earnings ceiling on which employer workers' compensation premiums are calculated in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Who is affected

All employers with employees in Newfoundland and Labrador are affected by this change. The new cap applies to workers' compensation premium calculations for all payment dates on or after January 1, 2026.

What's changing

The maximum assessable earnings cap—the threshold up to which employer workers' compensation premiums are calculated per employee—is increasing by CAD 1,590.

Employer premiums are assessed only on earnings up to this annual maximum per employee. Once an employee's earnings reach the cap within the calendar year, no additional workers' compensation premiums accrue on earnings above that threshold. The increase means employers may see higher total premium costs in 2026 for employees whose annual earnings fall between the old and new caps.

What NEO partners and clients should do

• Update payroll systems to reflect the new CAD 80,935 maximum assessable earnings cap for all Newfoundland and Labrador employees effective January 1, 2026.
• Review 2026 budget forecasts to account for potential increases in workers' compensation premium costs.
• Ensure premium calculations for payment dates on or after January 1, 2026 use the updated cap.

Sources

• WorkplaceNL – Average assessment rate notice for 2026