Results from the 2021 National Return to Work Survey

Safe Work Australia has published findings from the 2021 National Return to Work Survey, including key metrics, insights and time series data.

The survey informs policy makers and interested stakeholders about return to work experiences and explores factors that may influence return to work. The 2021 survey also explores the impact of COVID-19 on recovery and return to work.

Key findings from the survey include:

• The vast majority (91.6%) of all workers surveyed in 2021 reported having returned to work at some time since their work-related injury or illness.
• 81.3% of workers reported they had returned to work at some stage since their work-related injury or illness and were currently working.
• Of those respondents asked about the impact of COVID-19 on their recovery and return to work most stated that the pandemic had no impact (around 73%).

About the National Return to Work Survey

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

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