155 Australian workers died on the job in 2021

155 Australian Workers Died on the Job in 2021

155 Australian workers died on the job in 2021, according to latest statistics from Safe Work Australia, with the Transport, postal and warehousing industry recording the highest number of workplace deaths.

Safe Work Australia's data highlights persistent hazards across several sectors, reinforcing why robust risk management practices remain critical for employers and contractors alike.

Industry Breakdown of Workplace Deaths

Transport, postal and warehousing recorded 52 fatalities, making it the deadliest industry for Australian workers that year. Agriculture, forestry and fishing followed with 35 fatalities, while construction, with 21 fatalities, came third.

The figures show manufacturing lost 13 workers, mining recorded 7 deaths, and arts and recreation services lost 5 workers. Each incident underscores gaps in safety management systems that demand urgent attention from industry leaders.

• Transport, postal and warehousing: 52 fatalities
• Agriculture, forestry and fishing: 35 fatalities
• Construction: 21 fatalities
• Manufacturing: 13 fatalities
• Mining: 7 fatalities
• Arts and recreation services: 5 fatalities

Comparing 2021 to Previous Years

In 2020, 194 Australian workers were killed at work, according to Safe Work Australia. Though 2021 saw fewer deaths, the numbers remain a stark reminder that safety management cannot be treated as a box-ticking exercise.

Subsequent years continued this concerning trend — read our coverage of 160 Australian workers who died on the job in 2022, more than 70 fatalities recorded in the first half of 2023, and the sobering report on 168 Australian workers who died on the job in 2024.

Why Construction and High-Risk Sectors Need Stronger Safety Management

Construction sites present unique hazards, from working at heights to heavy machinery operation, making proactive hazard identification essential for every contractor on site. Effective safety management in construction relies on documented processes that address risk before incidents occur.

Every contractor engaged on a construction project should be equipped with clear, site-specific safety management tools. A well-prepared Safe Work Method Statement helps identify hazards, assess risk, and outline control measures before work begins — a critical step for reducing incidents on the job.

For teams managing multiple tasks across a site, a Digital Job Safety Analysis template allows supervisors and contractors to record hazards and controls on the go, strengthening safety management at every stage of a project.

Strengthening Workplace Safety Management Across Industries

Reducing workplace deaths requires consistent investment in safety management systems, ongoing hazard identification, and genuine commitment from leadership at every level. Employers in transport, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and mining each face distinct hazards that call for tailored risk management approaches.

Businesses operating in New Zealand face similar obligations. Tools such as the Job Safety Analysis Pack NZ and the JSA Worksheet for NZ workplaces support contractors in identifying risk and documenting safety management processes consistently.

See Safe Work Australia's preliminary work-related fatalities data here for further detail on how these figures were compiled.