Safe Work Australia seeks input on the National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030

Safe Work Australia has launched a mid-term assessment of the National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030, seeking sector feedback to confirm its continued relevance, responsiveness, and alignment with objectives.

"It's been almost 5 years since the launch of the National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030, our 10-year strategy to drive and leverage national action to improve return to work outcomes for workers with a work-related injury or illness," says Safe Work Australia.

What the Mid-Term Review Covers

According to the federal workplace safety regulator, this review will examine several factors, including:

• How well the Strategy encourages national efforts on recovery
• Whether existing resources adequately support injured workers
• How effectively risk factors affecting return to work are addressed
• Where safety services and support systems need strengthening

The assessment aims to gauge how national collaboration influences recovery and return to work results for workers recovering from a workplace injury or illness.

Why Your Input Matters

Safe Work Australia says input from stakeholders will be instrumental in evaluating how effective the Strategy has been during its initial five years of implementation.

Feedback will also help pinpoint critical areas of focus for the subsequent five years, ensuring resources and support services remain targeted where risk is highest.

Organisations across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare rely on strong safety frameworks and support services to protect employees and manage return to work risk effectively. Businesses seeking practical tools to support recovery planning may find a Return to Work Plan useful for documenting recovery pathways and support arrangements.

Safe Work Australia has also previously sought input on National Safe Work Month campaign themes, reflecting a consistent approach to consultation across its safety initiatives. This mirrors an earlier call when Safe Work Australia sought input for National Safe Work Month theme selections from industry stakeholders.

Find out more here.