The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) has released a report that shows work-related injuries and illnesses cost Australians $57.5bn in the 2005–2006 financial year.
Titled ‘The Cost of Work-related Injury and Illness for Australian Employers, Workers and the Community 2005–06’, the report updates a National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) report from 2004.
The previous report estimated the total cost of work-related injuries and illnesses for the year 2000–01 to be $34 billion, or 5% of Australia's GDP in that financial year.
The ASCC said the $57.5bn cost for 2005–2006 represents a significant increase, amounting to 5.9% of the GDP for the same period.