Insights from the National Return to Work Survey

The National Return to Work Survey measures outcomes of ill and injured workers receiving workers’ compensation to better understand their experiences and factors that may influence their return to work.

The National Return to Work Survey Factsheet provides a summary of key measures from the 2025 National Return to Work Survey – the ‘returned to work rate’ and the ‘current return to work rate’.

The National Return to Work Survey Analysis Report presents more detailed information from the 2025 National Return to Work Survey including key metrics and insights from both worker and employer perspectives. 

Some of the insights from the 2025 National Return to Work Survey include:

• Return to Work Rates are declining: The national Return to Work Rate dropped to 88.9% in 2025, down from 91.6% in 2021, continuing a downward trend since 2014.
• Psychological injuries present greater challenges: Workers with psychological injuries were less likely to return to work (76.5%) compared to those with physical injuries (90.2%), and they required a broader range of supports to do so.
• Return to work planning matters: Injured workers with a return to work plan were significantly more likely to return to work (94.0%) than those without a plan (81.7%).
• Employer support before claim lodgement improves outcomes: Workers who were helped by their employer to manage their injury before lodging a claim had higher Return to Work Rates (51.0%) compared to those who weren’t helped (27.2%).
• Employers also see better outcomes with proactive support: Employers who helped their worker manage their injury before a claim was lodged reported a higher Return to Work Rate (74.3%) compared to those who did not (62.2%).

Factsheet