The Queensland Government has introduced a bill to make its definition of “worker” the same as that used by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

A parliamentary inquiry into the state’s workers’ compensation scheme will report this month, with insurers arguing the government-run program should be opened to the private sector.

Confusion about coverage has led to many complaints, the inquiry has heard.

WorkCover Queensland says aligning the definition will cut red tape for employers and give workers greater confidence that they are covered.

The ATO definition says independent contractors are not “workers”.