New National Return to Work survey report released
This report provides a comprehensive summary of the National Return to Work survey responses from 2018.
Key findings in 2018 include:
- The vast majority (92.7%) of all workers surveyed reported having returned to work at any time since their work-related injury or illness.
- There was a significant increase in the proportion of unsuccessful return to work attempts (those who had to take additional time off since returning to work, due to their work-related injury or illness) from 2016, at 19.6%. This was significantly higher among workers in the Comcare scheme (27.9%) and Victoria (28.8%).
- Approximately 38% of workers who had returned to work reported that they worked reduced hours upon their return.
- Those who experienced mental illness were the most likely to work reduced hours upon returning to work (53.7%).
- Approximately 38% of workers who had returned to work reported that they were performing slightly different/modified duties upon their return to work, while 19.0% reported performing completely different duties.
The National Return to Work survey is undertaken on a biannual basis and compares the return to work experiences and outcomes of injured workers against a number of variables, including returning to work, workplace rehabilitation and employer support.
Read more in the National Return to Work survey 2018 – Summary report and the National Return to Work survey 2018 – Headline measures report.