National Safety Snapshot: What Australia’s Latest Data Means for Employers

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Australia’s most recent work health and safety and workers’ compensation data paints a clear picture: while progress has been made in reducing fatalities, the toll of workplace injury and illness remains high with employers playing a central role in driving safer outcomes.

According to the latest figures, 188 Australian workers lost their lives due to work-related traumatic injury in 2024, with the fatality rate slightly lower than the recent five-year average. While this represents some improvement, it still means nearly four families every week are impacted by a workplace tragedy.

These fatalities are not evenly distributed across the economy. Around 80% occur in just six industries: agriculture, forestry and fishing; public administration and safety; transport, postal and warehousing; manufacturing; health care and social assistance; and construction. Vehicle-related incidents remain the leading cause of workplace deaths, followed closely by falls from height.

Serious injuries (those resulting in at least a week away from work) lso remain significant. In the most recent reporting period, there were 146,700 serious workers’ compensation claims, equating to more than 400 serious injuries every day across Australia.

Notably, 84% of serious claims arise from just five key mechanisms: body stressing (including musculoskeletal injuries), falls, slips and trips, being hit by moving objects, and mental stress. Mental health-related claims continue to increase and now account for 12% of all serious claims. These claims also result in nearly five times the time away from work compared to other injury types, highlighting the growing impact of psychosocial hazards in the workplace.

These trends reinforce an important message for employers: traditional physical safety controls alone are no longer sufficient. Psychological health and wellbeing are now critical components of effective safety management.

Regulatory activity across Australia also remains strong. During the most recent year, inspectors conducted over 300,000 workplace interventions, and hundreds of legal proceedings were finalised across jurisdictions. This demonstrates that WHS regulators continue to actively monitor compliance and take enforcement action where duties are not met.

So what does this mean for businesses?

First, safety must remain a priority across all industries. While fatality rates may fluctuate year to year, serious injuries and illnesses continue to place a substantial burden on workers, businesses, and the broader community.

Second, data should inform action. National and jurisdictional safety data provides valuable insight into common hazards, injury trends, and emerging risks. Employers who use this information to guide risk assessments and prevention strategies are better positioned to reduce incidents before they occur.

Third, psychosocial risks cannot be overlooked. The rise in mental stress claims underscores the importance of addressing workload, role clarity, workplace behaviour, and organisational culture as part of a holistic WHS approach.

Finally, compliance is not just about documentation. Effective safety management requires competent supervision, meaningful consultation, regular training, and ongoing monitoring to ensure controls remain effective in practice.

Key takeaway for employers:
Using national safety data to benchmark performance and identify trends can support smarter decision-making. Proactively managing both physical and psychological risks not only helps meet legal obligations it protects people, strengthens workplace culture, and supports long-term business sustainability.

If you’d like to compare the annual WHS data you can access the dashboard here.

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SOURCES:

Safe Work Australia - Jan 2026

Data - Safe Work Australia - Jan 2026

Jurisdictional Comparison Data - Safe Work Australia - Jan 2026