Safe Work Australia has reported a decline in workplace fatalities for 2024, with figures showing 188 worker deaths compared to 200 the previous year.
The new data, released during National Safe Work Month, highlights ongoing progress in workplace safety but also underscores rising concerns about mental health across Australian industries, including manufacturing.
According to Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2025, 80 per cent of workplace fatalities occurred across six key industries: agriculture, forestry and fishing; public administration and safety; transport, postal and warehousing; manufacturing; health care and social assistance; and construction.
Vehicle incidents remained the leading cause of death, accounting for 42 per cent of fatalities, followed by falls from height at 13 per cent.
Safe Work Australia noted that while Australia’s injury rate continues to improve – currently at 3.5 per cent, about one-third of the global rate of 12.1 per cent – the toll of workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths remains significant.
It noted that the 2024 fatality rate was also slightly lower than the five-year average from 2020 to 2024.
In addition to fatalities, the report found that 146,700 serious workers’ compensation claims were lodged in 2023–24, representing more than 400 serious claims each day nationwide.
Of particular concern, mental health–related claims now account for 12 per cent of all serious claims, marking a 14.7 per cent rise from the previous year.
The median time lost for mental health claims is nearly five times higher than for other injuries and diseases.
Safe Work Australia CEO Marie Boland said the data is a reminder that ensuring safe and healthy workplaces remains a shared responsibility across all sectors.
“All workers have the right to safe and healthy work,” Ms Boland said. “Our data show there is still more to be done to ensure every worker, regardless of occupation or industry, returns home safely at the end of the day.”
Boland emphasised that behind every statistic is “a person, a family, workmates, a community and a story,” calling on employers to use the evidence to strengthen safety practices.
“National Safe Work Month is a great opportunity to prioritise discussions about work health and safety and use the national data compiled by Safe Work Australia to support safe and healthy work for everyone,” she said.
The manufacturing industry remains one of the sectors most affected by workplace injuries and fatalities, reinforcing the need for continued vigilance in safety management and training.
Safe Work Australia said that data-driven insights help industries identify risks, understand injury trends, and inform evidence-based prevention measures that contribute to safer working environments.
The Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2025 report and more national work health and safety data are available on Safe Work Australia’s interactive data website.
