This report examines the key drivers that contribute to an injured worker developing a secondary psychological injury in Australia. Concerns have been raised about the impact of secondary psychological injury on worker recovery and return to work, claims costs and compensation scheme sustainability. Based on the findings, several policy and practice recommendations are proposed.

The final report of the independent review of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988, the legislative framework that underpins the Commonwealth workers’ compensation scheme. The review made 124 recommendations, focussing on: best practice in workers’ compensation; workers’ experience of the scheme; scheme coverage and entitlements; governance and administration; and reducing disputes.

This report examines the effectiveness of the National Return to Work Strategy 2020–2030 after its first five years. The strategy provides a 10-year framework to drive and leverage national action to improve return to work outcomes for workers with a work-related injury or illness. Overall, the review found that the strategy remains fit-for-purpose.

This report highlights key trends in work-related fatalities, injuries and disease, and provides valuable insights to help improve safety outcomes in Australian workplaces. There are more than 400 serious claims a day across Australia. The report finds the challenges to overcome are significant with harm occurring in a concentration of certain industries.

Work‑related injuries and illnesses can occur anywhere across Australia, in urban, regional or remote areas. This analysis uses national workers’ compensation claims data to provide new perspectives on the different incidence of injured or ill workers across these regions. It finds there are key differences across the regions.