Victoria can lay claim to be the safest state for young workers, after it was revealed that the state enjoyed the lowest rate of claims per 1,000 young workers.

The report ‘Work related injuries experienced by young workers in Australia 2009-2010,’ is the latest national data available that compiles the number of work injury claims, for workers under 25, per 1,000 employees across the states and territories. The national results are:

  • Victoria – 10.2 claims for every 1,000 employees;
  • ACT – 14.9 claims for every 1,000 employees;
  • Tasmania – 15.8 claims for every 1,000 employees;
  • Queensland – 18.7 claims for every 1,000 employees;
  • Northern Territory – 28.8 claims for every 1,000 employees;
  • New South Wales – 29.6 claims for every 1,000 employees;
  • South Australia – 30.6 claims for every 1,000 employees; and
  • Western Australia – 30.7 claims for every 1,000 employees.

“Victoria already has the lowest rate of workplace injuries of any state in Australia, and this data clearly demonstrates that we also take the lead in safety among young workers in particular,” State Assistant Treasurer Gordon-Rich Phillips said.

“Victoria has the safest and most effective scheme, the lowest rate of workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths, and the lowest workers’ compensation premiums in the country and the Coalition Government is committed to continuing the current workplace safety scheme.”

WorkCover Chief Executive Denise Cosgrove said the fight to ensure every worker made it home safely every night would go on.

“I am determined we remain the safest state for every worker – from the youngest to the oldest – and that will drive our strategic thinking over the next five years,” Ms Cosgrove said.