Posted on 12 Oct 2026
National Safe Work Month: protecting workers’ lives, health and futures
By Slater and Gordon
Every October, workplaces across Australia raise awareness about the importance of health and safety. National Safe Work Month was established by Safe Work Australia and the 2026 theme is "Safe work is for life”, focusing on topics that help prevent harm in the workplace.
If you have been hurt at work, or you are worried about a workmate, this is a good time to understand how WorkCover is meant to protect you.
Work safety in Australia: the stats
As of September 2026, 92 people died at work nationally. This is no small number and this is why Safe Work Australia exists. Raising awareness about the types of injuries that happen at work and knowing the risks helps to prevent harm in the workplace. The following figures are from Safe Work Australia data on Preliminary Fatalities 2026 and WHS Statistics.
Statistics (2023-24) Figure
Total compensation claims 146,922
Fatalities 188
Median time lost 7.4 weeks
Median compensation paid $16,264
What can cause the most harm at work?
Vehicles are the biggest killer. Vehicle incidents were the major cause of death from 2020 to 2026, totalling 207 deaths. This is followed by being hit by moving objects and falls from a height. Understanding the causes of serious injury and death can make workers be more aware about the risks at work.
What are the more dangerous industries to work in?
In order of risk from 2024 to 2026, here are the top 5 industries that have the most workplace deaths in Australia:
Transport, postal and warehousing
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Construction
Manufacturing
Public administration and safety
What’s the difference between WorkSafe, WorkCover and SafeWork?
The names can be confusing, so to clarify:
Safe Work Australia sets national policy and publishes data. It’s not the regulator and can’t advise on workplace issues.
State and territory regulators enforce work, health and safety (WHS) laws. Examples include WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW.
Workers' compensation schemes pay for medical costs and lost income for eligible injured workers. This is known as WorkCover.
The regulator looks at whether the workplace was safe and the insurance scheme looks at whether you can get support and benefits.
What happens if you get hurt at work?
Get medical help: tell the doctor your injury happened at work.
Report it to your employer: record your injury in the incident register.
Lodge your claim: time limits apply and differ by state.
Get advice early: if your claim is delayed, rejected, or your employer is pushing back, it may be worth seeking legal advice.
We also have information that can help you if you were injured at work and want to explore your options:
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can claim workers’ comp for mental health issues. Although the process is different to physical workplace injuries. It’s important to keep a record of the workplace incidents and see your GP or treating mental healthcare professional. Workplace bullying, work pressure and exposure to violence are just some common causes of mental health related issues.
A rejection is not always the end. You can usually ask for a review or dispute the decision. Resigning does not automatically end your right to claim for a work injury, but the details depend on your state and your circumstances, so it’s worth getting advice to explore your options.
How we can help
Reducing workplace harm is everyone’s responsibility. But if you’ve been injured at work or through your employer’s negligence, there are ways to seek advice and support. Our experienced workers' compensation lawyers can help talk through your options and support you if you decide to take the next step. We also offer a No Win, No Fee arrangement. This means that you won’t pay for our legal work if we don’t win your case. You may still be liable for third party costs and disbursements.
The contents of this blog post are considered accurate as at the date of publication. However the applicable laws may be subject to change, thereby affecting the accuracy of the article. The information contained in this blog post is of a general nature only and is not specific to anyone’s personal circumstances. Please seek legal advice before acting on any of the information contained in this post.