Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2025

In 2024, there were 188 workers who died from traumatic injuries while working. The frequency rate of worker fatalities was 1.3 deaths per 100,000 workers. 

Both of these figures are slightly lower than the 5-year averages (191 deaths per year, and 1.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, from 2020 to 2024).  

Since 2014, the fatality rate has decreased 24% (from 1.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers), however this has remained relatively steady in recent years. 

Trends in worker fatalities, 2003 to 2024 

 Notes: 
 Historical data on work-related fatalities are updated as additional information from finalised coroners' reports, WHS 
 investigations and workers’ compensation claims becomes available. 

 The ‘fatality rate’ is defined as the number of traumatic injury fatalities per 100,000 workers. 

Work-related injury fatalities – Demographics 

The vast majority of workers killed from work-related activities are men (96% or 180 fatalities in 2024). Men also have a significantly higher fatality rate than women (2.4 fatalities per 100,000 workers compared with 0.1).  

Worker fatalities by sex, 2024 

In 2024, workers aged 45 and over accounted for over half (52%) of all worker fatalities recorded.  

Workers aged 65 and over had the highest fatality rate at 4.3 fatalities per 100,000 workers (over 3 times the overall worker fatality rate of 1.3 fatalities per 100,000 workers).

By contrast, workers aged under 25 had the lowest fatality rate (0.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers), followed by workers aged 35-44 (0.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers).  

Worker fatalities by age group, 2024 

Worker fatalities by state/territory, 2024 

In 2024, Queensland recorded the highest number of fatalities (53 workers) followed by New South Wales (48 workers). Northern Territory recorded the highest fatality rate (2.8 fatalities per 100,000 workers), followed by Western Australia (1.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers). 

 Note: 
 Fatalities are presented according to the state or territory where the fatality occurred, not the jurisdiction under which the
 fatality fell. 

Work-related injury fatalities – Mechanism

The mechanism of incident refers to the overall action, exposure or event that describes the circumstances that resulted in a worker fatality. 

Vehicle incidents (79 workers; 42%), Falls from a height (24 workers; 13%) and Being hit by moving objects (17 workers; 9%) accounted for almost two-thirds (64%) of all worker fatalities in 2024.    

Worker fatalities by most common mechanism of incident, 2024 

Note: Vehicle incidents include incidents where an occupant of a vehicle is killed following a collision with another vehicle a stationary object. Vehicles include road vehicles such as cars and trucks and machines such as aircraft, boats, loaders, tractors and quad bikes. 

Being hit by moving objects includes fatalities involving workers on foot being hit by vehicles, as well as being hit by other moving equipment or objects.

Data spotlight: Vehicles continue to be a significant cause of worker fatalities 

At least one vehicle was directly involved in the incident in 66% (124) of worker fatalities in 2024.  
This has slightly decreased since 2023, where 68% (139) of worker fatalities involved at least one vehicle. 

Of the fatalities involving a vehicle, 50% (62) involved at least one truck in 2024.  

There are significantly more worker fatalities resulting from single vehicle incidents than multiple vehicle incidents, with 72% (89) of vehicle-involved worker fatalities stemming from single vehicle incidents.

The age group with the highest proportion of fatalities involving at least one vehicle in 2024 was Under 25 with 83%, while the age group with the lowest proportion was 25-34 with 56%. 

Work-related injury fatalities – Occupation 

In 2024, Machinery operators and drivers accounted for the highest proportion of worker fatalities (32%) and also recorded the highest fatality rate at 6.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers, which was over 5 times the overall fatality rate (1.3 fatalities per 100,000 workers). 

Worker fatalities by occupation, 2024 

Work-related injury fatalities – Industry

In 2024, the industries with the highest number of fatalities were Transport, postal and warehousing (54 fatalities or 29%), Agriculture, forestry and fishing (44 fatalities or 23%) and Construction (37 fatalities or 20%).

The industries with the highest fatality rates were Agriculture, forestry and fishing (13.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers), Transport, postal and warehousing (7.4) and Mining (3.4).

There were also some differences from the long-term average: 

• the number of fatalities in the Mining industry in 2024 (10) was 39% higher than the 5-year average for this industry (7.2), and  
• the number of fatalities in the Manufacturing industry in 2024 (7) was 44% lower than the 5-year average (12.6). 
   

Worker fatalities by industry, 2024 

Work-related injury and illness 

Safe Work Australia compiles national workers’ compensation statistics using data obtained from workers’ compensation authorities in each state, territory and the Commonwealth government.  

These data are collated into the National Data Set for Compensation-based Statistics (NDS), which is Safe Work Australia’s primary source of information on work-related injuries and diseases. See the NDS data catalogue page for more information.  

The following insights provide a snapshot of key findings from the latest data on work-related injuries and illnesses.  

More information is available through our interactive data dashboard. 

More needs to be done to reduce the number of serious claims for work-related injuries and illness in Australia.  

Compared with 10 years ago (2013-14), the number of serious claims has increased by 37,600 (or 34.5%).  

However, the serious claims frequency rate, which accounts for changes in the number of hours worked over time, shows a more subdued increase, of 0.8 claims per million hours worked (or 12.6%).

Serious claims count and frequency rate, 2013 14 to 2023-24p 

Data spotlight: ABS Work-related injuries survey

Safe Work Australia funds the Australian Bureau of Statistics to conduct the Work-related injuries survey every 4 years. The latest data was published in February 2023, covering the 2021-22 reference period. The data highlight that 3.5% of people who worked in the previous 12 months experienced a work-related injury or illness.  

Only 3 in 10 (30.5%) of these workers received workers’ compensation. 

There are many reasons a work-related injury may not result in a claim for workers' compensation, including scheme coverage and eligibility. However, the most common reason is that claims are often not considered necessary for minor injuries. 

Main reason did not apply for workers' compensation, 2021-22 

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Work-related injuries, 2021-22, microdata 

The chart below shows the difference in time taken off work between those who received workers’ compensation for their work-related injury or illness, and those who did not.  

Workers who did not receive workers’ compensation were far more likely to take no time off work, and less likely to take 10 days or more off. 

Work-related injuries by receipt of workers’ compensation and time off work 

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Work-related injuries, 2021-22, microdata

Work-related injury and illness – Demographics (sex) 

The majority of serious claims are made by men (58% in 2023-24p). However, the share of serious claims accounted for by women has increased by 5.9 percentage points over the 10 years to 2023-24p, reflecting the trend of increasing female workforce participation. 
 

Proportion of serious claims by sex, 2023-24p 

Accounting for hours of work, the serious claims frequency rate is 9.1% higher for men (7.0 claims per million hours worked) compared to women (6.4).   

There are notable differences in the types of work-related injuries and illnesses experienced by men and women. 

• Serious claims for women have a higher median time lost (7.7 working weeks) than serious claims for men (7.2 weeks).  
• By contrast, the median compensation paid for serious claims made by men ($17,600) is 20.4% higher than that for women ($14,600). 
   

Serious claims headline results by Sex 2023-24p 

The Nature¹⁰ of work-related injury and illness differs noticeably between men and women. Women have a much higher share of work-related injury or illness accounted for by Mental health conditions (17.2%, compared to 8.2% for men), whilst men have a higher share of work-related injury or illness accounted for by Wounds, lacerations, amputations and internal organ damage (17.7%, compared to 9.9% for women).  These differences are influenced by the types of work that men and women undertake. 
 

Serious claims (%) by Sex and most common Nature (major group), 2023-24p 

Work-related injury and illness – Demographics (Age) 

The frequency rate, median time lost, and median compensation costs of serious claims generally increase with age. 

Taking into account the hours worked by different groups of workers, the serious claim frequency rate was highest for those aged 55-64, and 65 years and over, in 2023-24p (9.5 and 10.0 claims per million hours worked respectively). The lowest serious claims frequency rate was among workers aged 25-34 years old and 35-44 years old (with 5.8 serious claims per million hours worked recorded for both these age groups). 

The importance of these findings is reinforced by the fact that, in line with Australia’s ageing workforce, the proportion of claims accounted for by older cohorts is increasing over time. Over the 10 years to 2023-24p, the proportion of claims accounted for by the 55-64 and 65 years and over cohorts have increased by 1.4 percentage points and 2.5 percentage points respectively. 

The ABS Work-related injuries survey data show that the overall incidence of work-related injuries and illnesses declines after peaking for the 50-54 years old worker group, suggesting that older workers, whilst less likely to get injured or become ill at work overall, are more seriously injured if an incident does occur.
 

Serious claims headline results by Age 2023-24p 

Further, the serious claims frequency rate is higher for men relative to women in younger age cohorts (up to the 35-44 years old bracket), however, for older workers aged 55 years and over, this trend reverses, with the serious claim frequency rate higher for women. 
 

Serious claims frequency rate by Sex and Age group, 2023-24p 

Data spotlight: Significant time lost claims

The median time lost from work-related injuries and illnesses has increased by 35.1% over the 10 years to 2022-23. 

One contributing factor to this trend is that the proportion of claims with no time lost has decreased over the period and, at the same time, the proportion of claims involving a significant period of time lost (at least 13 weeks) has increased.  

The 2022-23 data show claims involving more than 13 weeks time lost from work accounted for 21.9% (or 55,400) of total claims¹¹, but 74.8% (or $5.4 billion) of total compensation payments.

Total claims (% and count) by Time lost groupings, 2012-13 and 2022-23 

	Claims with no time lost		Claims with more than 13 weeks time lost
	%	Count	%	Count
2012-13	36.6%	95,900	13.3%	34,800
2022-23	28.2%	71,200	21.9%	55,400

Total claims (%) by Time lost groupings 2012-13 to 2022-23

 

Work-related injury and illness – Nature of Injury or Disease 

More than two-thirds of serious workers' compensation claims are for Injuries (97,600), with Diseases and conditions comprising the remaining 33.5% (49,100).  

Serious claims by nature classification, 2023-24p

Serious claims by most common Nature of injury or disease (major groups), 2023-24p 

Diseases and conditions are accounting for an increasing proportion of serious claims over time, with their share growing from approximately 1 in 4 serious claims (26.1%) in 2013-14, to 1 in 3 serious claims (33.5%) in 2023-24p.   

The 5 most common Nature of injury or disease (major groups) accounted for 88.5% of all serious claims in 2023-24p (or 129,800), and two thirds (or 66.1%) of all serious claims were concentrated in just 3 of these groups.

Over the year to 2023-24p, the largest change in serious claims was observed for the Infectious and parasitic diseases Nature of injury major group, which declined by 4,900 (57.0%). 

• The key contributing factor to this reduction is the decline in serious claims related to COVID-19.
• Despite falling over the year to 2023-24p, the level of serious claims for Infectious and parasitic diseases remains substantially higher compared to 10 years ago (up by 3,500).
• More information about the impact of COVID-19 serious claims on the NDS time series can be found in the technical note, available in the Resources on the NDS About our datasets page.
   

Serious claims headline results by Nature (major group), 2023-24p 

Mental health conditions Serious claims snapshot, 2023-24p  

Data spotlight: Mental health conditions claims 

Mental health conditions accounted for 12.0% of serious claims in 2023-24p, or 17,600 serious claims. This represents an increase of 2,300 serious claims (or 14.7%) over the year.  

Over the 10 years to 2023-24p, serious claims for Mental health conditions experienced the largest change of any Nature of injury major group, up by 10,900 (or 161.1%).  

Index of serious claims, by Nature groupings, 2013-14 to 2023-24p

Mental health conditions are also one of the costliest forms of workplace injury. They lead to significantly more time off work and higher compensation paid when compared to other injuries and diseases.  

• The median time lost from Mental health condition serious claims in 2022-23 (35.7 working weeks) was almost 5 times the median time lost across all serious claims (7.4).  
• The median compensation paid for Mental health condition serious claims in 2022-23 ($67,400) was more than 4 times the median compensation paid across all serious claims ($16,300). 

Work-related injury and illness – Mechanism of incident 

More than four-fifths (83.8%) of serious claims are concentrated in 4 of the 10 Mechanism of incident classification major groups. 

The largest count was attributed to Body stressing, 50,600, or 34.5% of serious claims. 

• Body stressing is the most common mechanism across every major occupation group.
• Falls, trips and slips of a person accounted for 32,000 serious claims (or 21.8%).
  • Of these 32,000 serious claims, Falls on the same level accounted for 68.3%, Falls from a height accounted for 24.4%, while Stepping, kneeling or sitting on objects accounted for 7.3%.
• Being hit by moving objects accounted for 23,400 serious claims (or 16.0%).
  • Being hit by Other people accounts for nearly a quarter (23.8%) of these serious claims.
• Mental stress was the cause of 16,800 serious claims (or 11.5%).
  • The most common types of Mental stress serious claims were Harassment / workplace bullying (33.2%), Work pressure (24.2%) and Exposure to violence and harassment (15.7%). 
     

Serious claims by mechanism major groups, 2023-24p

Serious claims headline results by Mechanism (major group), 2023-24p 

Work-related injury and illness – Bodily Location of Injury or Disease 

More than half (55.5%) of serious claims recorded in 2023-24p involved work-related injuries or illnesses affecting the Upper limbs (48,700 serious claims, or 33.2%) and the Lower limbs (32,700 serious claims, or 22.3%). 

Serious claims by bodily location major groups, 2023-24p¹²  

Work-related injury and illness – Industry

Work-related injuries and illnesses are concentrated in certain parts of the labour market.  

In 2023-24p, the 4 industry divisions¹³ with the largest number of serious claims accounted for half (75,100 or 51.2%) of all serious claims, despite representing 36.3% of filled jobs covered by a workers' compensation scheme.

Serious claims by most common industry divisions, 2023‑24p

Largest serious claims frequency rates by Industry (division), 2023-24p

Accounting for hours worked, the Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry recorded the highest serious claims frequency rate in 2023-24p, 10.0 claims per million hours worked. This represents a frequency rate of serious claims 46.9% higher than the average observed across all industries (6.8). 

Serious claims headline results by Industry (division), 2023-24p

Work-related injury and illness – Occupation

Some jobs involve higher levels of exposure to hazards and potential harm. In 2023-24p, 62.8% of serious claims (or 91,500) were concentrated in just 3 of the 8 Occupation major groups¹⁴. 

Notably, while these occupational groups recorded 62.8% of serious claims in 2023-24p, they represent only 32.4% of jobs covered by a workers’ compensation scheme.  

More information about the hazards workers are exposed to in different jobs can be found in the Beta Occupational Hazards Dataset. 

Serious claims by occupation major group, 2023-24p

Serious claims (frequency rate) by Occupation (major group), 2023-24p 

Accounting for hours worked, the 2023-24p data show the highest frequency of serious claims was observed for Labourers, followed by Community and personal service workers, Machinery operators and drivers, and Technicians and trades workers. 

Serious claims headline results by Occupation (major group), 2023-24p

References and endnotes

1. International Labour Organization (2022), ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up, available at https://www.ilo.org/resource/conference-paper/ilo-1998-declaration-fundamental-principles-and-rights-work-and-its-follow
2. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Work-related injuries survey, 2021-22; International Labour Organisation estimates of work-related injuries and employment (2019).
3. Data for 2023-24 are preliminary (denoted by ‘p’) and subject to revision in future years as further claims are finalised.
4. Safe Work Australia, Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2023‑2033, available at https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/australian-work-health-and-safety-strategy-2023-2033
5. All workers' compensation claims data in this report refers to serious claims, that is, claims that involve one working week of time off work or more, unless otherwise indicated.
6. The serious claim ‘incidence rate’ is defined as the number of serious claims per thousand filled jobs covered under workers’ compensation schemes.
7. The serious claim ‘Frequency rate’ is defined as the number of serious claims per million hours worked in filled jobs covered under workers’ compensation schemes. There are significant differences in the number of hours worked by different groups of employees, and employees at different points in time. The serious claims frequency rate accounts for these differences and allows more accurate comparisons to be made.
8. Median time lost is not reported for the preliminary data reference period because some claims remain open. Data for the most recent non-preliminary reporting period (2022-23) is used for reporting purposes in such instances.
9. The median compensation paid excludes claims where there was zero compensation paid. Median compensation paid is not reported for the preliminary data reference period because some claims remain open. Data for the most recent non-preliminary reporting period (2022-23) is used for reporting purposes in such instances.
10. Nature refers to the most serious injury or disease sustained or suffered by the worker. See the Type of Occurrence Classifications System (TOOCS) about data page for further information on the Nature coding structure.
11. Total claims are defined as all accepted workers’ compensation claims across Australian jurisdictions.
12. Bodily location refers to the part of the body affected by the most serious injury or disease. See the Type of Occurrence Classifications System (TOOCS) about data page for further information on the Mechanism coding structure.
13. Industry refers to the range of economic activities undertaken by a business to produce goods and services, and is categorised using the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC).
14. Occupation refers to the type of job undertaken by a worker in the labour market and is categorised using the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).