Safe Work Australia’s national return to work survey project
The National Return to Work Survey aims to monitor and better understand Australian injured employees’ experiences of being on workers’ compensation, their health status, time off work, return to work, and the support and rehabilitation they received.
Project update
The most recent survey was conducted in 2021 with 619 participants from across the Comcare scheme.
The Comcare scheme’s headline results:
- 96% of injured workers report returning to work at some point since their injury – 4 points higher than the national average
- 70% report being back at work for at least three months – up from 62% in 2018
- 72% of injured workers report that their service expectations were met or exceeded.
Project overview
The National Return to Work Survey aims to monitor and better understand Australian injured employees’ experiences of being on workers’ compensation, their health status, time off work, return to work, and the support and rehabilitation they received.
The survey involves interviewing employees from premium paying government agencies and self-insured licensees within the Comcare scheme.
The results from the survey are used to inform our rehabilitation and return to work strategies, and to measure progress against our strategic priorities.
Project participants
Project lead
- Safe Work Australia
Other organisations involved
- State and territory workers’ compensation schemes
- The Social Research Centre (external provider)
Findings and reports
- The Comcare scheme's 2021 National Return to Work Survey results factsheet (PDF, 576.5 KB)
- Safe Work Australia 2021 National Return to Work Survey headline measures report
- Safe Work Australia 2021 National Return to Work Survey summary report