New study finds a third of Victorian paramedics injured at work

New study finds a third of Victorian paramedics injured at work, according to recent Monash University research examining emergency response staff across the state. Researchers found that nearly a third of all paramedics in Victoria have sustained job-related injuries.

Key Findings from the Study

Researchers found that more than 7500 paramedic injuries occurred over a period of six years, with 28% leading to absence from work. This significant rate places considerable strain on emergency care delivery across Australia's health system.

The study also identified manual handling and psychological stressors as the leading causes of injuries among Victorian paramedics. These findings highlight ongoing challenges facing frontline crews who provide urgent care under demanding conditions.

Government Response on Paramedic Health

"The Victorian government takes the health and well-being of all Ambulance Victoria employees extremely seriously, and their safety is our top priority," said a Government spokeswoman.

Ensuring proper health support for paramedics remains critical, particularly given the physically and psychologically demanding nature of their work. Employers across sectors dealing with similar risks may benefit from reviewing guidance such as Safe Work Australia's labour hire case study, which addresses comparable workforce safety concerns.

For paramedics who experience work-related injury, structured recovery pathways matter greatly. Organisations can consult Safe Work Australia's return-to-work resources to support staff recovering from manual handling injuries or psychological harm sustained on duty.

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