All workers' compensation claims are recorded each year across all businesses and industry sectors in Western Australia. Around 20,000 claims involve one or more days or shifts lost from work. The average cost of workers' compensation claims is around $16,000, making workplace injury and disease a significant business cost.

The Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act, 1981 requires every employer to have an injury management system that focuses on helping injured workers return to work as soon as medically appropriate.

An injury management system outlines the steps an employer will take when a workplace injury occurs. It ensures the employer is able to commence injury management quickly and properly, so that injured workers can either remain at work, or return to work as quickly as possible.

Employers must provide a work environment that protects and supports workers if they are injured at work. In some cases, confidentiality and sensitivity may be required. Injured workers must feel confident that they will be supported both financially and medically, and assisted in their return to work.

Different workplaces have different injury management systems in place. Whether simple or complex, the key is to be prepared and know what to do.

Employers and workers all have rights and responsibilities in the area of injury management and return to work. If you are an employer, please click on Employer Obligations (on the left of this screen). If you are a worker, please see the publication Workers' Compensation and Injury Management: Important Information for Workers, in the Publications section of this site.