Jurisdictional Comparison data

This data provides trend information about work health and safety (WHS) and workers’ compensation scheme performance across Australia. 

About the Jurisdictional data

The Jurisdictional Comparison dataset provides trend information about work health and safety (WHS) and workers’ compensation scheme performance by jurisdiction and nationally.  

The data is compiled and coordinated by Safe Work Australia in collaboration with representatives from all WHS and workers’ compensation authorities in Australia.

The data includes: 

  • WHS performance: trends in work-related fatalities and serious claims including counts, incidence rates, frequency rates, duration of compensated absence, mechanism of incident, and industry.
  • WHS compliance and enforcement activities: workplace interventions, inspectorate activity, safety notices, enforceable undertakings, legal proceedings and fines.  
  • Workers' compensation premium rates: industry standardised averages providing a comparison of the cost of workers' compensation insurance across industries.
  • Funding ratios: standardised ratios providing an indication of the adequacy of the scheme to meet future claim payments.  
  • Workers' compensation disputes: disputes against insurers’ decisions, as a proportion of active claims. 
    Jurisdictional comparisons should be interpreted with caution as workers’ compensation schemes vary in their design, coverage, definitions, and processes.

For detailed information on the key aspects of each scheme, refer to the Comparison of workers’ compensation arrangements in Australia and New Zealand. 

Please note:

  • National vs. Jurisdictional Data: National data may differ from jurisdictional data because adjustment factors are applied to improve comparability. These adjustments account for variations in definitions and scheme rules across jurisdictions.
  • Scope of Data: This dataset does not include data from organisations that manage industry-specific compensation claims.
  • Previous Reporting: This data was previously published in the Comparative Performance Monitoring report. That report has been discontinued, as the data is now available through the jurisdictional comparison dashboard and the downloadable data file. 
FieldInput
Temporal coverage from2004-05 financial yearꭞ
Data last updatedDec 2025 (for 2023-24 financial year results)
Update frequencyAnnual
Data limitations

Comparisons of outcomes across the jurisdictions workers’ compensation schemes should be made with caution due to the differences in design, coverage, definitions and processes.

National data may differ from jurisdictional data due to adjustment factors being applied to aid national data comparability. This has been done due to use of different definitions and workers’ compensation scheme rules across jurisdictions. 

This dataset does not include data from organisations with responsibility for managing industry-specific compensation claims. 

Some data (where noted) is preliminary. Comparisons of preliminary and non-preliminary data should be made with caution. 

ꭞ While Safe Work Australia holds data for these topics since the 2004-05 financial year, the data collection and reporting has been reviewed over this time which may result in breaks in time series. 

Publicly available data?

Public data can be freely used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Yes – see Resources
AuthorSafe Work Australia

Technical information

Metadata
FieldInput
Temporal coverage from2004-05 financial yearꭞ
Data last updatedDec 2025 (for 2023-24 financial year results)
Update frequencyAnnual
Data limitations

Comparisons of outcomes across the jurisdictions workers’ compensation schemes should be made with caution due to the differences in design, coverage, definitions and processes.

National data may differ from jurisdictional data due to adjustment factors being applied to aid national data comparability. This has been done due to use of different definitions and workers’ compensation scheme rules across jurisdictions. 

This dataset does not include data from organisations with responsibility for managing industry-specific compensation claims. 

Some data (where noted) is preliminary. Comparisons of preliminary and non-preliminary data should be made with caution. 

ꭞ While Safe Work Australia holds data for these topics since the 2004-05 financial year, the data collection and reporting has been reviewed over this time which may result in breaks in time series. 

Publicly available data?

Public data can be freely used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Yes – see Resources
AuthorSafe Work Australia