Public liability insurance helps protect your Australian small business if a third party alleges injury or property damage arising from your business activities. Whether you run a café, retail shop, market stall, or you’re a tradie visiting client sites, this cover can respond to slips and trips, accidental property damage, and associated legal defence costs. Most policies in Australia are arranged as public and products liability, protecting you for incidents caused by your operations and products you sell or supply.

Public liability insurance is typically occurrence‑based in Australia, meaning it responds to incidents that happen during the policy period, even if the claim is made later. Common cover limits are $5 million, $10 million, or $20 million. Contract partners often specify the minimum limit: landlords may require $10 million, councils and events frequently ask for $20 million, and some commercial sites or government tenders will set their own thresholds. New Wave Insurance can guide you on a suitable limit for your industry and contract requirements.

Start with risk and contract needs. Consider foot traffic, on‑site work, type of products, and any hot works or high‑risk activities. Review lease terms, council permits, supplier agreements and tender documents for mandatory limits and clauses. A retailer or café with steady customer flow might prioritise higher limits for injury claims, while a tradie working on commercial sites may need a higher limit to meet principal or head‑contractor requirements.

Look beyond the limit to policy features that matter in Australia. Useful inclusions can include care, custody and control sub‑limits for customers’ property, products liability for supplied goods, principals’ indemnity and cross liability, cover for subcontractors’ activities where required, and waiver of subrogation where contracts demand it. Your turnover, locations, staff count and claims history will influence price and availability. New Wave Insurance compares multiple insurers to match wording and endorsements to your industry risks.