Australian workers are returning to safer workplaces this year, according to new data showing a continued decline in work‑related deaths.
However, the nation’s peak workplace health and safety organisation says employers must remain vigilant to prevent further tragedy.
The Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS) is urging businesses, industry leaders and governments to keep safety “front and centre”, reminding Australians that every workplace death is one too many.
Fresh statistics from Safe Work Australia reveal 167 workplace-related fatalities were recorded in 2025 — a notable decrease from 188 the previous year.
The fall reflects improvements across several traditionally high-risk sectors, including transport, postal and warehousing, agriculture, forestry and fishing, construction, and manufacturing.
AIHS Chair Celia Antonovsky said the latest figures point to the impact of stronger safety leadership and better worker representation, but warned that the job of ensuring every worker’s wellbeing is far from over.
“Every Australian has the right to go to work and come home safely,” said Antonovsky.
“While it’s encouraging to see the number of fatalities decrease, even one death is unacceptable.
“It is why we must use these figures as a call to action, not a reason to relax.”
She said investment in people, particularly trained Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), remains essential to sustaining the downward trend in fatalities and serious incidents.
“HSRs are one of the single most powerful tools we have to prevent workplace harm,” she said.
“They give workers a trusted voice to raise concerns early, help ensure hazards are addressed, and turn safety policies into real action before incidents turn into tragedies.”
“When HSRs are trained and supported, workplaces are safer for everyone,” Antonovsky added.
The AIHS has long advocated that effective health and safety management depends on collaboration between workers and leaders, rather than top‑down regulation alone.
The organisation is encouraging employers to strengthen frontline capability through continual training and professional development programs.
To support ongoing improvement, AIHS provides a broad suite of online learning, workshops, and certification pathways aimed at building safety leadership across industries of all sizes.
These programs are designed to help businesses embed best‑practice standards and keep safety culture visible in everyday operations.
While the decline in fatalities signals meaningful progress, safety experts agree that the long‑term challenge is maintaining awareness as economic conditions shift and new risks emerge (particularly in fast‑growing sectors such as renewable energy, logistics automation, and construction technology).
The AIHS reiterated that continuous improvement must remain a defining principle for Australian workplaces.
As Ms Antonovsky noted, the goal is not just fewer fatalities, but sustainable workplaces where safety becomes second nature.
