Safe Work Australia has released the Australian Workers’ Compensation Statistics 2011-12 report. This is the 20th annual report that uses the National Data Set for Compensation-based Statistics (NDS). This new edition replaces the previous Compendium of Workers’ Compensation statistics series.
The Australian Workers’ Compensation Statistics 2011-12 report features a new format which includes a greater focus on the presentation of key information, tables and figures and increased interactivity.
The report also introduces a new definition of serious claims that is in line with the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022 targets. Serious claims are those that result in absences from work of at least one week.
Key findings from the report include:
- there were 120 155 accepted workers’ compensation claims for serious injury or disease,
- males accounted for 64 per cent of serious claims in 2010-11
- the average age of an employee with a serious claim was 42 years old, and
- the highest incidence rate of serious claims by industry was recorded by the Agriculture, forestry & fishing industry (21.3 serious claims per 1000 employees)—nearly double the national rate of 11.4.
The report also shows that over the period 2000–01 to 2010–11:
- the number of serious claims decreased by 7 per cent, incidence rates decreased by 27 per cent and frequency rates decreased by 25 per cent
- median time lost from work rose by 20 per cent from 4.2 to 5.0 working weeks, and
- median compensation paid rose by 60 per cent from $5200 to $8300.
This report also provides further detail on the Health and community services and Construction industries and an analysis of serious compensation claims due to back strain injuries.
To view the report visit www.swa.gov.au.
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