Legal experts and mental health advocates are calling on the Queensland government to not wind back workplace protections, as a major review of the state’s industrial relations and workers’ compensation systems gets underway.
The review of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 comes amid mounting pressure to address a surge in psychological injury claims, which have nearly doubled over the past five years.
Specialists warn that tightening access to the scheme could leave the state’s most vulnerable frontline workers, including nurses, police, and paramedics, without a safety net.
Sarah Grace, Special Counsel at Travis Schultz & Partners, said that while the review is an opportunity to refine a scheme already considered one of the nation’s strongest, it must not result in winding back the clock on mental health.
“Psychological injuries are real, debilitating, and life-altering – and workers deserve the same protection as they would for a physical injury,” Grace said.
“In our work, we regularly see first responders dealing with PTSD. These injuries are often the result of cumulative, repeated exposure to trauma. Just because an injury can’t be seen on a scan doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”
Data shows that primary mental health claims in Queensland spiked by almost 97 per cent over the last five years. Despite the sharp rise, Grace noted that these claims still only represent approximately 5 per cent of the state’s total workers’ compensation volume, recording 3,633 primary mental health claims out of nearly 75,000 total cases in the 2024-25 financial year.
“Yes, psychological injury claims are rising – but that reflects greater awareness, more complex workplaces and the reality of what people are experiencing,” Grace said.
Advocates argue the increase reflects a positive shift in workplace culture, where stigma is decreasing and more staff feel safe to report bullying, harassment, and trauma.
Sue Jankovic, CEO of blue-collar mental health support service TIACS, emphasised that the focus should remain on removing barriers to help rather than adding them.
“What we know works is removing the social, physical and financial barriers that stop workers asking for help.
“That means support that is free, relatable, available outside standard hours, and built by industry for industry – so it fits the reality of blue‑collar work,” Jankovic said.
As the review progresses, the legal community is urging the government to ensure that any changes focus on better recovery and return-to-work outcomes, rather than making it harder for genuinely injured Queenslanders to access treatment and fair compensation.
