RTW Matters has extracted the data from the last six Australian & New Zealand Return to Work Monitor reports and analysed the information on a jurisdictional basis. As one of a series of publications covering the various jurisdictions, this review analyses New South Wales' results. Our analysis has sought to highlight trends and comparison between the jurisdictions.

The executive summary is below, to view the graphs and full information click on the icon below.

Return to work results

In 2010-11 86% of injured NSW workers had returned to work seven to nine months after submitting a claim. The result was identical to the national average, and marked a return to 2006-07 levels. The durable, or sustained RTW rate, was back to the 2007-08 result of 78%. Last year's 4% rise puts it above slightly above then national average.

Over the last 12 months there has been substantial improvement in the length of time people are back at work for a durable return to work. In 2010-11 the RTW duration was back at the 2008-09 average, and just below the national average.

Over the last five years there has been a slight change in the duties people return to when they first go back to work. This includes a gradual increase in the number of workers who believed the duties provided were suitable and those who had their duties modified (82% in 05-06 to 86% in 10-11).

There was a slight increase in the percentage of people who return to their normal hours of work when they first go back to work, but 2010-11's rate of 49% was down from five years ago (56% in 205-06). While there was no change to the number of people who return to work and carry out the same duties as prior to the injury (remained at 72%), there was a significant decrease in the number of people returning to work with the same employer (90% in 09-10, to 84% in 10-11)

As with some other jurisdictions, there is a downward trend in the percentage of employees who are back doing their normal duties at approximately seven months post claim lodgement.

The main source of income coming from employment rose for the first time in six years (70% in 09-10, to 74% in 10-11), although the proportion is still well down on five years ago (81%). Over the same period there has been a steady increase in workers compensation being the main source of income (9% to 14%).

As seen in the RTW rates, there was a drop in employment being the main source of income with the financial downturn of 2008, although the increase of this proportion in 2010-11 has seen it return to pre-GFC, 2007-08 levels.

Return to work influences

The proportion of injured workers who said a RTW plan was developed dropped for the first time since 2006-07, but remains well above the national average.

Over the last five years there has been a steady upward trend in the percentage of people reporting that the RTW plan was helpful.

In NSW employees identified the main source of help for RTW as their doctor. 80% of injured employees in NSW reported their doctor assisted with RTW.

Over the last four years there has been a slight increase in the percentage of employees who advise their supervisor helped with RTW, and a slight decrease in those advising their employer helped with RTW. There has also been a significant decrease in the percentage who report the insurer helped with RTW in NSW. This remains below the national average.

In 2010-11 32% of employees indicated someone made their RTW harder, the same as a year ago. The percentage of NSW employees who report someone made their RTW harder is better than the national average, and has been in each of the last four years.

15% of employees said their employer made RTW harder. 13% of employees indicated their supervisor made RTW harder, and 14% indicated the insurer made RTW harder. While the supervisor result was the same as the national average, an increase of 3% in 2010-11 pushed the insurer result above the national average for the first time since 200-07supervisor and insurer results are poorer than the national average.

Over the last five years there has been an increase in the percentage of NSW employees interviewed who said the main reason they were not working was injury related. This has increased from 58% in 2005- 06 to 69% in 2010-11. Over that period there has been a 10% reduction in retrenchment or dismissal as the reason for not working.

Over the last 12 months NSW employees rated aspects of their workplace culture as high if not higher than the national average.

Of particular interest was NSW's rating in areas gauging satisfaction with steps employers were taking to help RTW. Out of all Australian States and Territories, NSW rated highest in their belief that:

• Management help RTW (2% above national average);
• Employers were implementing clear RTW policies and procedures (3% above national average); and
• Employers were prepared to spend the time and money required to make the workplace safe (4% above national average)

NSW employees indicate it is getting harder to get information they need to lodge a claim, with a gradual reduction over the last five years. However they say the process of putting in a claim is becoming simpler, with a 6% reduction in the percentage of employees who say it was complicated or very complicated to lodge a claim over the same period.

Rating of customer services

Out of the 10 ratings of insurer service, NSW was below the national average in 7. In 2010-11, the overall service rating decreased for the second time in five years. At 3.5/5 it is just below the national rate of 3.6/5.

Rehabilitation services

Using data from WorkSafe provided to the Return to Work Monitor, the percentage of NSW employees who have some rehabilitation expenditure as part of their claim cost has fallen over the last 12 months. The result is now down to 31%. The average cost spent was $2,503, a significant reduction from last year, but still $715 more than the average claim nationally.

Previous claim experience

In 2010-11 39% of NSW employees reported they had had a prior claim. 35% reported they had a previous lost time claim. The prior claim rate is slightly above the national average, while the previous lost time claim is identical to it.