Queensland's workers' compensation insurer accepted 4,110 primary mental injury claims in 2025–2026, as new reporting highlights concern about how an independent review will respond to rising psychological injuries. Unions and lawyers fear access to compensation could be tightened; the review is still examining whether changes to the scheme are needed.
ABC News reported on Saturday (10 October) that the accepted claims figure had more than doubled from 1,974 in 2021–2022. WorkCover's latest report identifies the 4,110 claims as primary mental injuries and records a 13.1 per cent increase on the previous financial year.
The WorkCover Queensland Annual Report 2025–2026 says primary mental injuries accounted for 16 per cent of statutory payments, or $334 million. Their average claim cost was $25,138, compared with $13,061 for physical injuries. The insurer describes mental injury claims as more complex, requiring specialised support and sustained engagement.
The differences extend beyond cost. The report records 123.0 average annual paid days for primary mental injury claims, compared with 47.1 for physical injury claims. Return-to-work rates were 71.4 per cent for primary mental injuries and 93.2 per cent for primary physical injuries, reflecting the longer and more complex recovery pathways described by WorkCover.
Maurice Blackburn workers' compensation lawyer Alison Barrett told the ABC that the rise was occurring nationally and could involve serious injuries. She said there was no single explanation: greater awareness may play a part, alongside workplace hazards such as excessive workloads, occupational violence and exposure to trauma.
Barrett called for injury prevention, safer workplaces and earlier support rather than restrictions on compensation. Queensland Council of Unions general secretary Jacqueline King shared the concern, telling the ABC that workers unable to access compensation could instead rely on welfare or insurance through their superannuation, shifting costs elsewhere.
WorkCover also sets out its response to the trend. Its mental health and injury programme aims to improve early intervention, consistency and specialist capability across claims. Alongside the increased injury costs, the annual report says the insurer maintained a funding ratio above 120 per cent and was able to keep its target average premium rate steady for 2026–2027.
The Office of Industrial Relations' review terms explicitly include growth in primary and secondary psychological claims and their impact on injured workers, employers and the scheme. The government says it seeks a balance between appropriate benefits for injured workers and reasonable employer costs. Self-insurance arrangements are also being examined, while changes to common law are excluded from the review's scope.
Independent reviewers Glenn Ferguson AM and Gary Black are leading the review. Written submissions closed on 31 May 2026 and will not be published. The Office of Industrial Relations says the review is expected to be finalised in the second half of 2026, with updates to be posted on its consultation page.