A new national strategy is in place to improve return to work outcomes for workers with a work-related injuries.
Diane Smith-Gander AO, the Chair of Safe Work Australia, has introduced the landmark ‘National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030’ that sets an ambitious 10-year action plan to improve return to work outcomes for workers across Australia.
Workers are at the heart of the Strategy’s vision to minimise the impact of work-related injury and illness and enable workers to have a timely, safe and durable return to work.
Supporting workers through their recovery and return to work is a priority for all jurisdictions and stakeholders involved in the process. The Strategy paves the way for national collaboration to improve return to work outcomes over the next decade.
The Strategy was developed in partnership with governments, business, industry and unions, and endorsed by work health and safety ministers.
The Strategy is designed to be sufficiently broad so those involved in the return to work process can determine how they can best contribute to implementing the Strategy.
It is aimed at people who can influence work and workplaces, including:
- Policy makers
- Workers’ compensation authorities
- Employer, industry and union groups
- Insurers and claims management organisations
- Treating health practitioners
- Workplace rehabilitation providers, and
- Other worker advocates.