Reducing workplace fatalities across Australia

November 19, 2025

Photograph of a fatal work accident in an Australian workplace.

Every worker in Australia has the right to return home safely.

But sadly, workplace fatalities remain a tragic reality across the country.

The latest statistics from Safe Work Australia reveal that in 2024, 188 workers lost their lives due to traumatic injuries at work in Australia.

While there were fewer deaths than in previous years, every fatality leaves behind a grieving family, devastated colleagues and a workplace changed forever.

Behind every statistic is a person who deserved better protection.

Progress on decreasing work-related fatalities has slowed

Australia has made significant progress in reducing workplace deaths over the past two decades.

The fatality rate has decreased by 24% since 2014, dropping from 1.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers to 1.3 in 2024.

But this improvement has plateaued in recent years. The 2024 figures show 188 worker fatalities at a rate of 1.3 deaths per 100,000 workers - only marginally lower than the five-year average of 191 deaths annually and 1.4 deaths per 100,000 workers from 2020 to 2024.

This stagnation suggests that while major safety improvements have been achieved, reaching the next level of workplace safety will require renewed focus, innovation and commitment.

The ambitious vision by Safe Work Australia outlined in the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2023-2033 will demand sustained effort from every stakeholder.

Men and older workers face disproportionately higher fatality risks

Demographic patterns in workplace fatalities reveal stark disparities in risk.

Men accounted for 96% of all worker fatalities in 2024 - 180 deaths compared to eight female workers.

The fatality rate for men was dramatically higher at 2.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to 0.1 for women. These differences reflect both the types of work men typically perform and the hazards associated with male-dominated industries.

Age is another critical factor. Workers aged 65 and over had the highest fatality rate at 4.3 deaths per 100,000 workers - more than three times the overall average. Workers aged 45 and over accounted for 52% of all fatalities in 2024.

By contrast, workers under 25 had the lowest fatality rate at 0.5 per 100,000 workers, followed by the 35-44 age group at 0.7. While younger workers may experience more injuries overall, older workers are at significantly greater risk of fatal outcomes when incidents do occur.

These findings highlight the importance of age-appropriate safety measures and the need to support older workers with modified duties, assistive equipment and enhanced supervision where necessary.

Machinery operators and labourers face the highest occupational risks

Certain occupations carry substantially higher fatality risks than others.

In 2024, machinery operators and drivers recorded both the highest number of fatalities (61 workers, or 32% of all deaths) and the highest fatality rate at 6.7 deaths per 100,000 workers - more than five times the national average.

Labourers faced the second-highest risk with a fatality rate of 4.0 per 100,000 workers and 50 deaths in 2024. These two occupational groups alone accounted for more than half of all workplace fatalities.

Managers recorded 28 fatalities with a rate of 1.5 per 100,000 workers, while technicians and trades workers also experienced 28 deaths at a rate of 1.4. Professionals, community and personal service workers, and clerical and administrative workers all recorded significantly lower fatality rates of 0.3 per 100,000 workers.

These occupational disparities underscore the need for role-specific safety training, appropriate personal protective equipment and workplace designs that minimise exposure to fatal hazards for high-risk occupations.

Regional variations show Northern Territory has the highest fatality rate

Geography matters when it comes to workplace safety.

In 2024, Queensland recorded the highest number of fatalities at 53 workers, followed by New South Wales with 48 deaths.

However, when population numbers are taken into account, a different picture emerges. The Northern Territory had the highest fatality rate at 2.8 deaths per 100,000 workers - more than double the national average. Western Australia followed with 1.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers.

Victoria recorded the lowest fatality rate at 0.7 per 100,000 workers despite having 28 workplace deaths. This suggests that Victoria’s larger workforce and potentially stronger safety systems have contributed to better outcomes relative to population.

These regional differences may reflect variations in industry mix, workforce demographics, safety regulation enforcement and access to safety resources and training. Understanding these patterns can help target safety initiatives where they’re needed most.

Worker fatalities by industry

In 2024, the industries with the highest number of fatalities were transport, postal and warehousing (54 fatalities or 29%), agriculture, forestry and fishing (44 fatalities or 23%) and construction (37 fatalities or 20%).

Industries (number of fatalities):

Transport, postal and warehousing (54)
Agriculture, forestry and fishing (44)
Construction (37)
Mining (10)
Public administration and safety (8)
Manufacturing (7)
Administration and support services (6)
Other services (5)
Electricity, gas, water and waste services (5)
Professional, scientific and technical services (4)
Wholesale trade (3)
Arts and recreation services (3)
Education and training (2)

The industries with the highest fatality rates per 100,000 workers were agriculture, forestry and fishing (13.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers), transport, postal and warehousing (7.4) and mining (3.4).

These statistics show where prevention efforts need to be concentrated. Industries with high fatality rates require tailored safety interventions that address their specific hazards, from vehicle operations in transport to machinery risks in agriculture.

Manufacturing saw a 44% decrease in fatalities compared to its five-year average, demonstrating that targeted safety improvements can make a significant difference.

Conversely, mining experienced a 39% increase, highlighting the need for renewed vigilance in this sector.

Vehicle incidents remain the leading cause of workplace deaths

Understanding how workers die is crucial for preventing future fatalities.

In 2024, vehicle incidents accounted for 42% of all worker fatalities - 79 deaths in total. This makes vehicles the single most dangerous factor in Australian workplaces.

Of these vehicle-involved deaths, 50% involved at least one truck. Single vehicle incidents were far more common than multiple vehicle crashes, accounting for 72% of vehicle-related fatalities.

Falls from a height were the second leading cause of death, responsible for 13% of fatalities (24 workers). Being hit by moving objects accounted for 9% of fatalities (17 workers), with this category including workers on foot being struck by vehicles as well as other moving equipment.

These patterns point to clear prevention priorities by improving vehicle safety systems, enhancing driver training, implementing better traffic management in workplaces and strengthening fall prevention measures across all elevated work environments.

Data-driven approaches are essential for preventing future deaths

Every workplace fatality represents a preventable tragedy.

The comprehensive data collected by Safe Work Australia provides crucial insights into where, how and why workers are dying - actionable information that can save lives.

Workplaces can use this data to assess their own risk profiles, understand common causes of injury in their industry and implement evidence-based prevention strategies. Key actions include:

Conducting thorough risk assessments that specifically address vehicle safety, fall prevention and machinery hazards
Providing targeted training for high-risk occupations and industries
Implementing robust safety management systems that go beyond minimum compliance
Regularly reviewing incident data to identify emerging risks
Engaging workers in safety discussions and encouraging hazard reporting
Ensuring adequate supervision and support for older workers and those in high-risk roles

Safe Work Australia’s national work health and safety data provides a powerful evidence base to guide these efforts and contribute to safer, healthier workplaces for all Australians.

Conclusion

While Australia has made progress in reducing workplace fatalities over the past two decades, 188 preventable deaths in 2024 demonstrate that much work remains.

The concentration of fatalities in specific industries, the dominance of vehicle incidents as a cause of death, and the heightened risks faced by men, older workers and machinery operators all point to clear priorities for action.

Creating truly safe workplaces requires sustained commitment from employers, workers, regulators and the broader community.

Understanding the patterns revealed in fatality data and implementing targeted prevention strategies helps Australian workplaces move closer to the vision of safe and healthy work for all.

A vision where every worker returns home safely, every day.