MENTAL HEALTH CLAIMS NOW AUSTRALIA’S FASTEST GROWING WORKPLACE INJURY

Australia's peak workplace health and safety body is warning that psychosocial hazards are among the most serious risks facing workers today, with impacts that can be more severe and long-lasting than many physical workplace hazards. 

Today (1 October) marks the start of National Safe Work Month and Mental Health Awareness Month with Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) Chair Celia Antonovsky urging employers and WHS professionals to give psychological safety the same priority as physical safety. 

"Where we work, what we do, and who we work with can have a huge impact on our mental health. Employers need to understand where these factors can become risks and take action to prevent psychological injury," Ms Antonovsky said. 

Latest data reveals there were 146,700 serious workers' compensation claims in 2023-24, which is equivalent to more than 400 every day across Australia.  

Mental health conditions accounted for 12 per cent of all serious claims, with claims increasing by more than 161 per cent over the past decade - the largest increase of any major injury or disease group. 

Workers with a mental health claim spend almost five times longer away from work than those with other serious injuries and diseases. Common psychosocial hazards include harassment and bullying, excessive workloads, and exposure to violence or aggression. 

Ms Antonovsky said some of the most damaging workplace injuries are not always visible.  

"A workplace doesn't have to be physically unsafe for a worker to be injured. Stress, burnout, bullying, and excessive workloads can have a serious impact, and employers need to recognise these risks early and take steps to prevent injury," Ms Antonovsky said. 

"The key is knowing what is negatively impacting workers and acting before it causes lasting harm. A safe workplace is one where people are able to speak up, feel supported and trust that something will be done when something isn't right." 

Australian Psychological Services (APS) Chief Psychologist, Dr Laura Kirby, said psychological harm at work is often the result of how work is designed and managed. 

"The way we design jobs, lead teams, and shape workplace culture has a direct impact on people's wellbeing. When factors like excessive workloads, bullying or poor management are allowed to build up, they can have serious consequences," Dr Kirby said. 

"Employers need to look beyond individual resilience and proactively address the workplace factors contributing to psychological harm. Early action can make a significant difference." 

AIHS recommends employers and WHS professionals: 

Design the work in ways that foster positive, inclusive and sustainable workplace cultures. 

Act on the first signs of distress, whether they come from one person or a whole team. 

Support workers recovering from psychological injury, in consultation with their treating health professionals. 

Talk about mental health risks openly and often, not only when something has gone wrong. 

"Everyone deserves to go to work and come home safely. That means protecting people from all types of harm, not just the risks we can see," Ms Antonovsky said.  

National Safe Work Month is an initiative from Safe Work Australia, supported by AIHS.

Media enquiries: Claudia Browning Adoni Media | 0499 358 839 | claudia@adonimedia.com.au