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Workplace Deaths Fall to 188, With Risks Concentrated in Key Sectors, Safe Work Data Shows

The annual report highlights a large compensation gap that leaves many injured workers without support.

Overview

  • Six industries accounted for 80% of fatalities in 2024: agriculture, public administration and safety, transport, manufacturing, health care and social assistance, and construction.
  • Vehicle incidents were the leading cause of death with 79 fatalities (42%), followed by falls from height (13%).
  • Machinery operators and drivers recorded 61 deaths and the highest occupational fatality rate at 6.7 per 100,000, followed by 50 labourer deaths and 28 among technicians and trades workers.
  • The most hazardous industries by fatality rate were agriculture, forestry and fishing (13.7 per 100,000), transport, postal and warehousing (7.4), and mining (3.4).
  • There were 146,700 serious workers’ compensation claims in 2023–24, only about three in ten injured workers reported receiving compensation, and mental health claims rose to 12% of serious claims with much longer time off work.