Return-to-work outcomes are not improving, Safe Work Australia finds

Safe Work Australia’s return-to-work strategy review has been an effective framework to improve return-to-work outcomes; however, data revealed mixed results on the strategy’s progress.

For its report, Mid-term review of the National Return to Work Strategy 2020–2030, Safe Work Australia (Safe Work) examined the efficacy of its strategy for its first five years, identifying the challenges and opportunities that require greater focus for the remaining five years.

Safe Work’s vision for the strategy is to “minimise the impact of workplace-related injury and illness and enable workers to have a timely, safe and durable return to work”.

The research showed that over 20 per cent of injured workers said the pandemic impacted their return to work either “somewhat” or a “great deal”. In contrast, only 11 per cent of workers said the pandemic made their return to work easier. Concerningly, the research found that injured workers on workers’ compensation who did not take time off work plummeted compared to five years ago (down 19 per cent), revealing that injured workers felt less comfortable fully returning to work.

Along with having more time off work, the review found that injured workers spent more time away from work, with the rate of workers away from work for at least 13 weeks having increased 31 per cent compared to 2020.

Further, the incidence of claims due to work-related mental health conditions increased from 6.4 per cent in 2012–13 to 10.5 per cent in 2022–23, with the median time lost in these cases being more than five times that recorded compared with all claims.

More support and guidance needed for vulnerable workers

Based on its findings, Safe Work suggested the improvement of workers’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities in the return-to-work process, awareness and reduction of workers’ compensation stigma, workplace dispute and conflict resolution, and support to determine suitable return-to-work duties and adjustments.

Safe Work found that gig workers and workers in high-risk occupations, such as first responders or those exposed to silica dust, struggled to find support surrounding their workplace entitlements and protections, and were not able to access workers’ compensation benefits, like return to work.

Together with supporting victims of workplace injury and illness, Safe Work said other stakeholders also need more guidance and support to facilitate a successful return to work process, with one advocate saying that more education, resources and guides are needed to disseminate return-to-work and caring messages across all functions in the business.