Behind every workplace injury statistic is a person whose health, livelihood and family may be affected.
This National Safe Work Month, Law Partners Injury Lawyers is helping raise awareness of the workplace injuries occurring across Australia, the industries where serious claims are concentrated and the support available when someone is hurt at work.
Safe Work Australia’s latest figures show there were 146,700 serious workers compensation claims in 2023–24, more than 400 every day. A serious claim is one involving at least one working week lost.
Workplace injuries can happen in any job, but Safe Work Australia found that almost two-thirds of serious claims occurred across six industries:
These figures reflect the physical demands and risks faced by many Australian workers – from tradies and machinery operators to nurses, carers, drivers and emergency service workers.
But the list is not exhaustive. People working in schools, offices, retail, hospitality and many other settings can also be seriously injured at work.
A relatively small number of hazards account for most serious workers compensation claims:
Some injuries happen in a single moment, such as a fall, collision or lifting accident. Others develop gradually through repeated movements, sustained physical effort or prolonged strain.
An injury does not need to result from one dramatic incident to have a serious and lasting effect.
A specialist lawyer will review your circumstances and tell you how much you can claim.
The latest data also identifies the five leading types of injury and condition involved in serious claims:
Joint, ligament, muscle and tendon injuries alone accounted for 53,300 serious claims in 2023–24. These can include injuries to the back, shoulders, knees and other parts of the body that affect a person’s ability to work, move comfortably and manage everyday life.
Chantille Khoury, Partner and Practice Group Leader for Work Injury Claims at Law Partners Injury Lawyers said the scale of the figures should challenge the idea that physical injury is simply part of the job.
“Workplace injuries should never be accepted as just a part of doing business, and injured workers should never be left without the support they need. We regularly help people living with workplace injuries – including spinal, joint and arm and leg injuries – that have fundamentally changed what they can do at work and at home.”
“Too many workers feel pressured to push through pain or stay silent because they don’t want to let their team down. A strong safety culture isn’t just about preventing injuries. It’s also about listening when workers raise concerns and making sure injured workers receive the treatment, support and compensation they deserve.”
The median time lost following a serious claim was 7.4 working weeks.
For many injured workers, however, returning to work is only one part of the picture. An injury may also affect their income, independence, family responsibilities and plans for the future. Some people require ongoing treatment, rehabilitation or changes to the type of work they can perform.
That is why getting the right treatment, reporting an injury and understanding your rights early can be so important – particularly when symptoms are worsening or an injury has developed over time.
National Safe Work Month is an important reminder that workplace safety is about much more than preventing lost working time. It protects the health, livelihoods and futures of workers across every industry.
If you have been injured at work, Law Partners can help explain your rights, manage the claims process and pursue the compensation and support you deserve.
Call 13 15 15 for free legal advice from our friendly team of specialist work injury lawyers.
Source: Safe Work Australia, Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2025.
