Safe Work Australia Statistics

Vehicle collision is the biggest cause of workplace fatalities in Australia. According to the most recent report, vehicle collisions constitute 41% of all worker fatalities. It’s important to note that vehicle collisions include fatalities that happened as a result of a crash and that vehicles also involve machines such as aircraft, boats, loaders, and tractors, not just cars and trucks.

The agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry has the highest number of fatal injuries, and it continues to be the most dangerous industry in Australia. Fatalities in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry have increased by 1.7% from 42 worker fatalities during 2009-2010 to 46 worker fatalities during 2019-2020.

Traumatic joint or ligament and muscle or tendon injury is the most common workplace injury in Australia. It garnered 38% of all serious claims based on the latest statistics. However, the rate of serious claims for mental health conditions have nearly doubled from 5.5% in 2009-2010 to 9% in 2019-2020, making it one of the fastest growing workplace injuries and diseases in Australia.