Safe Work Australia compiles the National Dataset for compensation-based statistics which comprises information on workers’ compensation claims provided by each of the jurisdictional workers’ compensation authorities.
Although 563,600 people experienced a work-related injury or illness in 2017-18, the data in the Safe Work Australia report refers only to the 107,335 serious claims where the compensated injury or disease resulted in one week or more off work.
Why does it take so long to finalise the data? Figures are updated only once all the appropriate authorities have investigated the deaths and more accurate information becomes available. Only then does Safe Work Australia include the incident in their statistics and publish their final report.
Key Findings
- 144 fatalities nationally
- 75% of workplace fatalities came from Transport, Postal & Warehousing / Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing / Construction & Mining in 2017-18.
- 107,335 serious claims resulting in one week or more off work
- $11,300 median compensation paid per claim
Fatalities By State 2017-18
Number of fatalities, by gender 2017-18.
Number of fatalities, by industry 2017-18.
Number of fatalities, by occupation 2017-18.
Serious claims overall statistics, 2017–18
Serious claims by nature of injury disease, 2017–18
Serious claims by occupation, 2017–18
Serious claims by industry, 2017–18
Sources: Safe Work Australia https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/
© Commonwealth of Australia.
Australian Bureau of statistics http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6324.0
Learn More About Our Foundational Safety Leadership Program
Focusing on shifting individual attitudes and mindsets regarding how safety is viewed in the workplace, this program also teaches new skills and knowledge to embed behaviour change at an individual and organisational level.
To find out how we can customise this program for your needs call us on 1300 453 555.
Want to learn how to manage subcontractors?
Learn to effectively manage WHS site risks and performance by learning how to effectively select, manage and monitor the complex and difficult world of subcontractors.
Find out more by downloading the course outline below, contact us here or call us on 1300 453 555.
More from our blog
Why sleep is your superpower
Are you and your workers skimping on sleep? It’s been proven that sleep deprivation not only means poorer performance, productivity and safety outcomes, but has an impact on our physical health. Researchers found workers losing just 16 minutes of sleep (from the 7-9...
Limited places remain for subsidised WHS training
Want to give your business the edge for 2019? Want to do it at no cost to your business? Queensland tradies have a limited opportunity to get WHS training, funded by their building and construction industry body, Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ). Being...
The 4 team leadership mistakes you might be making
Being a leader means you’re tasked with many responsibilities, across managing people and teams, organisational expectations and performance. Not every leader is awesome at all aspects of leading teams – here are four common mistakes you may be making: No vision....