Safe Work Australia recently published its update on the state of workers compensation claims (non fatal) for the 2012-2013 financial year. A link to the full report is below but some of the key statistics were:

· There were 117 815 (or 11.1 claims per 1000 employees) serious workers compensation claims in 2012-2013 (63% male, 37% female)

· Health Care and Social Assistance was the industry with the most claims

· Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing was the industry with the highest rate of claims (2 per 100 employees – twice the national average)

· There has been a 26% decrease in the rate of serious injury claims across Australia over the past 11 years

· 90% of claims were due to injuries and musculoskeletal disorders

· 1/3 of all injuries were caused due to lifting or handling objects

· The average number of weeks off work for a serious injury was 5.4 weeks (this is a 29% increase since 2000-2001)

· The back was the most frequently injured body part (22% of all claims)

The above is just a summary. For a more detailed analysis of the workers compensation statistics please check out the full report at: Safe Work Australia.