ACC levies for workers, employers, and motorists are going up next year, ACC Minister Nick Smith announced today.

An employee on an average income of $49,500 a year will see an increase of about $150.

The Earner’s Account levy, which pays out to employees or self-employed people to cover non-work, non-vehicle injuries, will increase from $1.70 to $2.00 per $100 of liable earnings from April 1.

The average composite employer and self-employed levy will increase 16c per $100 of payroll from April 1, excluding GST.

The ACC motor vehicle license fee for a petrol car will increase $30 from July 1 2010, while ACC petrol levy will remain at 9.90 cents per litre.

\”Setting these levy rates has been a difficult balance of minimising the cost increases on families and businesses, keeping the pressure on ACC to better manage its costs, and ensuring ACC long-term financial viability,\” Dr Smith said.

Motorcycle levies are nearly half what was previously recommended by ACC. Owners of mopeds 50cc and under will pay $129.24 a year; motorbikes up to 600cc will pay $327.70; and bikes over 600cc will pay $426.92.

Dr Smith said the escalating costs of motorcycle accidents cannot be ignored, but \”ACC wants to work with you improving safety,\” he said.

Reference: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10614620