After 70 days off, injured public servants rarely return to work
Research shows that after 70 days away, injured workers' chances of returning drop to just 35 percent.
The Albanese government wants to fix the Comcare scheme, which covers half a million federal and ACT public servants. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth will tell a national conference in Canberra this week that injured staff are staying away from work too long.
The stark data: at 20 days away, 70 percent of injured staff return to work. After 70 days, that falls to just 35 percent.
Rishworth says early support and tailored work matter, but she won't unveil new laws to force employers to offer it. This is despite a review recommending exactly that a year ago.
Instead, she'll push employers to step up their role in getting people back safely.
- 70 percent
- Return rate at 20 days
- 35 percent
- Return rate at 70 days
- 124 recommendations
- Review recommendations
Why it mattersLong workplace absences make it harder for injured workers to return and cost the scheme far more over time.
AustraliaAffects 500,000 federal and ACT public servants covered by the Comcare scheme and their ability to resume work after injury.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 9 d ago
