As we pass the halfway mark of 2025, it’s a great time to reflect on the progress and momentum of the Workers’ Voice study.
We’ve spent the first half of this year deepening our understanding of the experiences shared by 553 people with accepted workers’ compensation claims who completed the Workers’ Voice survey in mid-2024. Our team has begun developing plain language summaries to communicate key findings, including demographic insights and personal experiences within the system. Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we roll out more plain language summaries.
Importantly, the conversation around workers’ compensation is also gaining national attention. In June, Professor Alex Collie joined Triple J’s The Hack to highlight concerns from workers who feel let down by the compensation system, especially as legislative changes tighten access in some states.
In June, Professor Collie presented a comprehensive update as part of the Return to Work Matters webinar series. This session provided an overview of our research, summarised early findings, and explored what they might mean for the future design and administration of compensation schemes.
We’ve also launched a new video series, designed to make the study’s objectives and outcomes more accessible. These short, engaging videos break down the different components of the Workers’ Voice study and what they mean for injured workers and the broader system.
Watch our short videos on the below topics:
- What is the Workers’ Voice study?
- Why did we create the Workers’ Voice study?
- Phase 1: Listening to Injured Workers’
- Phase 2: Computational Modelling
- Phase 3: Testing Solutions
What’s Next?
Right now, we’re in the process of holding collaborative workshops with injured workers across the country. These sessions are focused on imagining a better future and gathering direct input and solutions from those with lived experience to help inform the redesign of workers’ compensation.
These contributions will play a vital role in shaping a future model that puts injured workers at the centre of the system.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Workers’ Voice study so far – your voice is powerful, and it’s helping create real change.