Recommendations From Consultation on ACC Employment Premiums As required by section 167b of the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Act 1992, ACC has completed consultation with premium payers and has recommended to the Minister for Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance changes to be made to the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance (Employment Premium) Regulations. These recommendations are summarised as follows: Premium Rate and Reserve Level Options Maintain the 1996/97 average employment premium rate of $2.61 for the 1997/98 premium year. Sector Based Premium Risk Groups Maintain the current premium risk groupings within economic sectors for the 1997/98 premium year; and note that a move to pure risk-based groupings will be considered for the 1998/99 premium year and included in the relevant consultation discussion papers. Premium Classification Principles Retain all the current premium classification principles and adopt an additional principle emphasising the need to ensure that the premium classification system is administered in a cost effective manner. Current Premium Classification Rules Removal of the (25%) lower transitional cap and review of the (25%) upper transitional cap during the 1997/98 premium year. New Premium Classification Rule Incorporate a new rule relating to ``new activity classifications'' into the premium classification rules structure. This new rule will reflect: reviews on an annual basis; and premium rates phased in at /25% per annum as per rule (c). Draft Premium Risk Groups/Premium Classification Units Establish a new premium classification unit of ``Services to Sports administration services only'' for activities engaged in providing administration services to sporting activities; Maintain ``Business and Professional Associations'' and ``Interest Groups'' within premium risk group 580; Establish a new PRG for higher risk sport PCU's and set a higher premium which includes the corporation's judgment of the probable mature accident rate. New classification units and associated rates of premium have been provided for the following activities: 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Drilling Services; 2. Contract Staff Both Office and Non Office Based; 3. Sports and Services to Sports Boating, Yachting; 4. Sports and Services to Sports Cricket; 5. Sports and Services to Sports Cycling; 6. Sports and Services to Sports Golf; 7. Sports and Services to Sports Horse Riding; 8. Sports and Services to Sports Motor Cycling; 9. Sports and Services to Sports Motor Racing; 10. Sports and Services to Sports Netball; 11. Sports and Services to Sports Rugby; 12. Sports and Services to Sports Rugby League; 13. Sports and Services to Sports Ski-ing (snow); 14. Sports and Services to Sports Soccer; 15. Sports and Services to Sports Softball, Baseball; 16. Sports and Services to Sports Squash; 17. Sports and Services to Sports Swimming; 18. Sports and Services to Sports Tennis; 19. Sports and Services to Sports Water-ski-ing; and 20. Services to Services (administration services only). Copies of the draft regulations are available from ACC, P.O. Box 242, Wellington or telephone Joanne Allan on (04) 496 1265.