Our statistics

For statistics about injuries, diseases and deaths in the workplace, see:

• Australian workers compensation statistics
• Work-related traumatic injury fatalities
• Comparative performance monitoring
• Key work health and safety statistics
• Return to work
• Our data sets

We keep national data sets on WHS and workers’ compensation.

For information on these data sets, what they do and don’t have, and how to use them, see:

• National data sets (NDS) specification
• Traumatic injury fatalities (TIF) data set specification
• Explanatory notes on Safe Work Australia data sets
• Return to work

Types of research we publish

Each year, we get, analyse and report on WHS and workers’ compensation data  for a national picture of work-related injuries, deaths and diseases.

We also undertake WHS and workers’ compensation research to explore issues in greater depth and to get insights into how the model WHS laws are working.

We include theoretical and applied research, using:

• quantitative
• qualitative
• mixed methods.

Our research framework

Our research framework guides our research decisions. It states our research should:

• have clear outcomes
• support our priorities
• not duplicate research occurring elsewhere
• be transparent
• be fit for purpose, analytical and practical
• be efficient and represent value for money.

Types of research we prioritise

We prioritise research that:

• focuses on nationally significant issues
• helps improve WHS and workers’ compensation policy, practice and outcomes
• supports the model WHS legislative framework and promotes consistency in workers’ compensation arrangements
• aligns with our national strategies, currently the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2021-2022  and National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030 .

Agency research work plan

We have 5 priority research areas set out in our Agency Research Work Plan 2021–22:

1. Interventions to manage work-related psychosocial hazards.
2. Improving the use of national data.
3. Occupational disease.
4. Return to work.
5. Emerging issues, such as changing work patterns or new industries.

Our members and other stakeholders nominated these priorities because of:

• their policy relevance
• gaps in the evidence.

The plan outlines current and planned research activities addressing these topics.

Find research grants

GrantConnect has our current research grants under our 2021 Research Grant Program

Request data

If you would like to request data visit our Request data page