RTW Matters has extracted the data from the last five RTW Monitor reports and analysed the information on a jurisdictional basis.  As one of a series of publications covering the various jurisdictions, this review analyses Queensland results.  Our analysis has sought to highlight trends and comparison between the jurisdictions, below is the Executive Summary of Queensland results.  Click on the icon below for the full results.

Return to work results

Queensland's return to work performance has improved over the last 12 months, and now sits above the national average.

The Queensland RTW rate fell between 2005-06 and 2008-09, from 88% to 84%.  Over the last year the RTW rate increased back to 86%.   The more sustainable 'durable return to work' rate has improved to a greater extent, increasing 5% over the last year and reversing the prior downward trend.  

The length of durable RTW (the time back at work for people at work when interviewed) for Queensland workers is 140 days, and this has not changed  significantly over the last five years.  

There has been a modest increase in the percentage of people returning to work on suitable duties over the last five years, in line with the national average.  

Close to 90% of Queensland workers cited injury or pain as the reason they were not ready to return to work.  This has steadily increased over the last four years.  This trend of 'still injured/in pain' as the reason for not being ready to return to work is not replicated in the Australian average.

A much smaller proportion (under 10%) said that pressure from their employer, doctor or insurer was responsible. In 2009-10 very few Queensland workers described being mentally unprepared as a reason they were not ready to return to work. There has been a steady decline in the proportion reporting they were mentally unprepared for return to work.   

Return to work influences

Queensland workers are less likely than the average Australian worker to have a formal RTW plan, but are more likely to report their RTW was helpful.

The are also significantly more likely to report they were given assistance to follow the RTW plan.   

Queenslanders are more likely than the national average to report the insurer helped RTW, and are less likely to report their doctor assisted with RTW.  However, they were also more likely than the national average to report the insurer made return to work harder.   

26% of Queensland workers can identify a person who made it harder to RTW, which is lower than the national rate of 28%.  

Queensland workers were very close to the Australian average when it came to perceptions pertaining to workplace culture.  This was noted on all measures.  

In 2009-10 78% Queensland workers reported it was simple or very simple to put in a claim.   This has not changed substantially over the last five years.

Rating of customer services

Queensland employees rate their insurer (the government agency) higher on the attitude of the insurer to their claim, response to enquiries, provision of accurate information, helpfulness and understanding, communication, advice about their claim and the employee's rights. 

Queensland is the only Australian jurisdiction to rate a consistently high response across these measures. 

Rehabilitation services

Queensland workers were much more likely than the national average to participate in rehabilitation, however their rehabilitation costs were substantially lower than the national average (Queensland average $1 100 vs national average of $1 800). 

Previous claim experience

43% of Queensland employees interviewed had a prior claim. This has trended in parallel to national average, though consistently 5% above the national average.  

A similar trend is noted for previous lost time claims, trending in line with but consistently above the national average.