It's the data behind our state guides, and it's free to use under CC BY 4.0.
Download the CSV 54 rows · updated 6 November 2026
What does the dataset contain?
One row per health network, with its latest two years of published workers' compensation cost and a link to the document each figure came from. The columns are:
- Cost measure and the prior and latest values, in AUD millions, with the financial year of each.
- Change between the two years, in per cent.
- FTE: full-time equivalent staff, from the same annual report.
- Cost per FTE: our calculation, the latest cost divided by FTE.
- Occupational violence claims per 100 FTE and OV incidents, where the network publishes them. Victorian health services must report these in their annual reports, so most of these figures are Victorian.
- Notes, including figures we couldn't read, and the source URL.
It covers 53 networks, plus SA Health's consolidated total. Not every network publishes a cost figure: WA Country Health Service, for example, doesn't itemise one, and NT Health hasn't published one since 2022-23.
What does each cost measure mean?
Each state pays for its health services' workers' compensation differently, so the same column means slightly different things in each state.
| State | Measure | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Treasury Managed Fund contribution | What each district or network pays into icare's Treasury Managed Fund, the NSW government's self-insurance scheme. It follows each entity's claims history. |
| Victoria | WorkCover premium | The premium each health service pays WorkSafe Victoria, set as a rate on wages that moves with claims experience. |
| Queensland | WorkCover premium | The premium each hospital and health service pays WorkCover Queensland. Two rows are approximate, as marked. |
| WA | Workers' compensation insurance expense | The insurance expense in each health service provider's financial statements. |
| SA | Audited workers' compensation expense | SA Health self-insures. The expense includes changes in the valuation of the claims liability, so it can swing sharply, or even turn negative, from one year to the next. The notes give each network's liability, which is often the steadier figure. |
| Tasmania | Claims cost | Salary, medical and rehabilitation costs on open claims for the whole Department of Health, from a parliamentary answer. |
| NT | Workers' compensation claim costs | From NT Health's annual report. No figure has been published since 2022-23. |
Why can't costs be compared across states?
Because the measures differ, and so do the schemes behind them. A premium, a fund contribution and an audited expense respond to claims at different speeds and include different things. Compare a network with its own previous year, or with other networks in the same state. Cost per FTE helps compare networks of different sizes within a state, but it isn't a measure of violence: it covers every kind of workplace injury.
Costs are published per network, not per hospital. A local health district or health service may run several hospitals, community services and, in some cases, ambulance or forensic services.
The figures are context, not a ranking. Higher costs can reflect a larger mental health or emergency workload, a regional workforce or a single large claim, so the tables below are listed alphabetically.
What are the figures for each state?
The tables below show every row in the CSV, grouped by state and listed alphabetically. Change compares the two years shown; cost per FTE is our calculation.
New South Wales
16 of 17 networks' costs rose between the two years shown, and 1 fell.
| Network | Measure | Prior | Latest | Change | FTE | Cost per FTE | OV claims per 100 FTE | OV incidents | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Coast LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $20.2m 2023-24 | $25.6m 2024-25 | +27% | 6,007 | $4,268 | – | – | – | Source |
| Far West LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $1.5m 2023-24 | $2.0m 2024-25 | +34% | 805 | $2,426 | – | – | – | Source |
| Hunter New England LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $21.5m 2023-24 | $25.8m 2024-25 | +20% | 14,117 | $1,830 | – | – | ~2000 staff assaults in 4 yrs to 2023 (Newcastle Herald) | Source |
| Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $12.1m 2023-24 | $14.9m 2024-25 | +23% | 6,595 | $2,265 | – | 713 | 713 physical aggression incidents against staff in 2024 (+62% in 4 yrs) | Source |
| Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network | TMF workers' comp contribution | $4.2m 2023-24 | $5.1m 2024-25 | +22% | 1,620 | $3,149 | – | – | – | Source |
| Mid North Coast LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $13.2m 2023-24 | $14.8m 2024-25 | +12% | 4,233 | $3,497 | – | – | – | Source |
| Murrumbidgee LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $6.3m 2023-24 | $9.1m 2024-25 | +44% | 3,716 | $2,442 | – | – | – | Source |
| Nepean Blue Mountains LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $10.6m 2023-24 | $12.5m 2024-25 | +17% | 5,984 | $2,085 | – | – | – | Source |
| Northern NSW LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $15.1m 2023-24 | $19.3m 2024-25 | +27% | 5,968 | $3,234 | – | – | – | Source |
| Northern Sydney LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $10.7m 2023-24 | $13.8m 2024-25 | +29% | 8,960 | $1,543 | – | – | – | Source |
| South Eastern Sydney LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $16.9m 2023-24 | $20.8m 2024-25 | +23% | 11,668 | $1,783 | – | – | – | Source |
| South Western Sydney LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $28.0m 2023-24 | $35.5m 2024-25 | +27% | 12,965 | $2,737 | – | – | – | Source |
| Southern NSW LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $3.4m 2023-24 | $4.2m 2024-25 | +23% | 2,671 | $1,569 | – | – | – | Source |
| Sydney Children's Hospitals Network | TMF workers' comp contribution | $4.8m 2023-24 | $5.9m 2024-25 | +24% | 5,290 | $1,124 | – | – | – | Source |
| Sydney LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $13.9m 2023-24 | $15.9m 2024-25 | +15% | 11,017 | $1,444 | – | – | – | Source |
| Western NSW LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $8.6m 2023-24 | $10.6m 2024-25 | +24% | 6,042 | $1,760 | – | – | – | Source |
| Western Sydney LHD | TMF workers' comp contribution | $22.1m 2022-23 | $20.3m 2023-24 | −8% | 11,794 | – | – | – | 2024-25 statement image-only; not read | Source |
Victoria
9 of 13 networks' costs rose between the two years shown, and 4 fell.
| Network | Measure | Prior | Latest | Change | FTE | Cost per FTE | OV claims per 100 FTE | OV incidents | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred Health | WorkCover premium | $13.5m 2023-24 | $17.1m 2024-25 | +26% | 8,800 | $1,940 | 0.28 | 920 | – | Source |
| Ambulance Victoria | WorkCover premium | $64.5m 2023-24 | $70.0m 2024-25 | +9% | 6,196 | $11,300 | 1 | 1,045 | – | Source |
| Austin Health | WorkCover premium | $17.4m 2023-24 | $19.2m 2024-25 | +10% | 7,184 | $2,670 | 0.22 | 1,118 | – | Source |
| Bendigo Health | WorkCover premium | $3.5m 2022-23 | $7.8m 2023-24 | +123% | 3,351 | – | 0.4 | 584 | 2024-25 premium not itemised; OV figures 2024-25 | Source |
| Eastern Health | WorkCover premium | $18.9m 2023-24 | $17.8m 2024-25 | −6% | 7,949 | $2,230 | 0.2 | 1,289 | – | Source |
| Forensicare | WorkCover premium | $2.7m 2023-24 | $3.0m 2024-25 | +12% | 885 | $3,380 | 1.5 | 433 | – | Source |
| Grampians Health | WorkCover premium | $7.3m 2022-23 | $13.4m 2023-24 | +84% | – | – | 0.29 | 708 | OV claims 2023-24; incidents 2024-25 (The Courier) | Source |
| Melbourne Health (RMH) | WorkCover premium | $15.8m 2023-24 | $15.5m 2024-25 | −2% | 7,729 | $2,000 | 0.05 | 1,424 | – | Source |
| Monash Health | WorkCover premium | $42.5m 2023-24 | $45.3m 2024-25 | +6% | 16,299 | $2,780 | 0.14 | 1,439 | – | Source |
| Northern Health | WorkCover premium | $18.2m 2023-24 | $14.2m 2024-25 | −22% | 6,194 | $2,290 | 0.15 | 4,275 | 20 violence claims since 2023 cost $2.75m | Source |
| Peninsula Health | WorkCover premium | $14.7m 2023-24 | $13.9m 2024-25 | −6% | 4,991 | $2,790 | 0.32 | 1,135 | – | Source |
| St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne | WorkCover premium | $5.8m 2023-24 | $8.3m 2024-25 | +42% | 5,036 | $1,640 | 0.08 | 842 | – | Source |
| Western Health | WorkCover premium | $17.0m 2023-24 | $20.7m 2024-25 | +22% | 8,698 | $2,380 | 0.06 | 1,315 | – | Source |
Queensland
3 of 8 networks' costs rose between the two years shown, and 5 fell.
| Network | Measure | Prior | Latest | Change | FTE | Cost per FTE | OV claims per 100 FTE | OV incidents | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns and Hinterland HHS | WorkCover premium (approx.) | $13.2m 2024-25 | $13.6m 2025-26 | +3% | 6,717 | $2,025 | – | – | MH unit program: seclusion -78% and OV incidents -63% (self-reported) | Source |
| Gold Coast HHS | WorkCover premium | $15.7m 2024-25 | $16.3m 2025-26 | +4% | 11,385 | $1,432 | – | – | – | Source |
| Mackay HHS | WorkCover premium (approx.) | $6.2m 2024-25 | $5.8m 2025-26 | −6% | 3,139 | $1,848 | – | – | Statutory claims per 1000 down 17% | Source |
| Metro North HHS | WorkCover premium | $31.6m 2024-25 | $33.2m 2025-26 | +5% | 21,325 | $1,559 | – | – | – | Source |
| Metro South HHS | WorkCover premium | $26.6m 2024-25 | $26.2m 2025-26 | −2% | 18,056 | $1,449 | – | – | – | Source |
| South West HHS | WorkCover premium | $1.5m 2024-25 | $1.2m 2025-26 | −20% | 957 | $1,238 | – | – | – | Source |
| Sunshine Coast HHS | WorkCover premium | $15.1m 2024-25 | $15.0m 2025-26 | −1% | 8,176 | $1,829 | – | – | – | Source |
| Townsville HHS | WorkCover premium | $10.7m 2024-25 | $10.1m 2025-26 | −6% | 6,654 | $1,523 | – | – | Worker incidents per 1000 headcount 302.9 to 343.0 | Source |
Western Australia
0 of 2 networks' costs rose between the two years shown, and 2 fell.
| Network | Measure | Prior | Latest | Change | FTE | Cost per FTE | OV claims per 100 FTE | OV incidents | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child and Adolescent Health Service | Workers' comp insurance expense | $10.0m 2023-24 | $8.5m 2024-25 | −15% | 5,153 | $1,659 | – | – | 117 claims | Source |
| East Metropolitan Health Service | Workers' comp insurance expense | $31.6m 2024-25 | $30.9m 2025-26 | −2% | 9,033 | $3,426 | – | – | 264 claims (nursing 108; hotel 62) | Source |
South Australia
3 of 9 networks' costs rose between the two years shown, and 6 fell.
| Network | Measure | Prior | Latest | Change | FTE | Cost per FTE | OV claims per 100 FTE | OV incidents | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barossa Hills Fleurieu LHN | Audited workers' comp expense | $2.8m 2024-25 | $2.5m 2025-26 | −11% | 2,306 | $1,084 | – | – | Liability $8.2m | Source |
| Central Adelaide LHN | Audited workers' comp expense | $11.9m 2024-25 | $16.5m 2025-26 | +39% | 13,507 | $1,222 | – | – | Liability $63.7m at 30 Jun 2026 | Source |
| Eyre and Far North LHN | Audited workers' comp expense | $0.7m 2024-25 | $0.5m 2025-26 | −29% | 837 | $597 | – | – | Liability $2.6m | Source |
| Flinders and Upper North LHN | Audited workers' comp expense | $0.1m 2024-25 | $0.7m 2025-26 | – | 787 | $889 | – | – | Liability $1.3m | Source |
| Limestone Coast LHN | Audited workers' comp expense | $1.0m 2024-25 | $1.2m 2025-26 | +20% | 1,178 | $1,019 | – | – | Liability $4.3m | Source |
| Northern Adelaide LHN | Audited workers' comp expense | $4.2m 2024-25 | $4.0m 2025-26 | −5% | 5,212 | $767 | – | – | Liability $16.7m | Source |
| Riverland Mallee Coorong LHN | Audited workers' comp expense | $1.7m 2024-25 | $2.2m 2025-26 | +29% | 1,270 | $1,732 | – | – | Liability $7.4m | Source |
| SA Ambulance Service | Audited workers' comp expense | $18.7m 2024-25 | $8.2m 2025-26 | −56% | 2,086 | $3,931 | – | – | Liability $51.5m | Source |
| SA Health (consolidated) | Audited workers' comp expense | $70.8m 2024-25 | $52.9m 2025-26 | −25% | 41,221 | $1,283 | – | – | – | Source |
| Southern Adelaide LHN | Audited workers' comp expense | $20.4m 2024-25 | $5.5m 2025-26 | −73% | 7,534 | $730 | – | – | 2025-26 derived; liability $52.1m | Source |
| Women's and Children's Health Network | Audited workers' comp expense | −$1.1m 2024-25 | $2.5m 2025-26 | – | 3,454 | $724 | – | – | Liability $14.3m | Source |
| Yorke and Northern LHN | Audited workers' comp expense | $2.9m 2024-25 | $1.4m 2025-26 | −52% | 1,342 | $1,043 | – | – | Liability $5.7m | Source |
Tasmania
| Network | Measure | Prior | Latest | Change | FTE | Cost per FTE | OV claims per 100 FTE | OV incidents | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Health (incl. THS and Ambulance Tas) | Claims cost (salary + medical + rehab on open claims) | $34.7m 2023-24 | $48.9m 2024-25 | +41% | – | – | – | – | 727 claims (200 psychological) | Source |
Northern Territory
| Network | Measure | Prior | Latest | Change | FTE | Cost per FTE | OV claims per 100 FTE | OV incidents | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NT Health | Workers' comp claim costs | $6.4m 2021-22 | $7.8m 2022-23 | +21% | – | – | – | 1,561 | 1561 assaults on hospital staff 2022-23 (WQ 647); no cost published after 2022-23 | Source |
When is the data refreshed?
After each reporting season, as the next annual reports are tabled. The next updates expected:
- NSW and Victorian 2025-26 annual reports: October to December 2026.
- SA Chief Psychiatrist's report: late November 2026.
- Victorian Chief Psychiatrist's report: December 2026 to January 2027.
- AIHW national seclusion and restraint data: May 2027.
Found an error, or a figure we couldn't read? Email info@xantha.com.au with the source and we'll correct it.
How do I cite it?
Credit Xantha and link to this page, and cite the original source for any figure you rely on. For example: "Xantha (2026), Workers' compensation and violence figures for Australian health networks, xantha.com.au/resources/business-case/data, CC BY 4.0."
Frequently asked questions
Can I compare workers' compensation costs between states?
Not directly. Each state funds workers’ compensation for its health services differently — a WorkCover premium in Victoria and Queensland, a Treasury Managed Fund contribution in NSW, an insurance expense in WA, and an audited self-insurance expense in SA — so compare a network with itself over time, or with networks in the same state.
Why is my hospital not listed?
Costs are published per network, not per hospital. Find the local health district, hospital and health service or local health network your hospital belongs to.
Can I use this data?
Yes. The dataset is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence: use it, including in your own business case, and credit Xantha and the original sources.
How often is it updated?
After each annual reporting season. NSW and Victorian 2025-26 annual reports land between October and December 2026, and the dataset will be refreshed once they are out.
Sources
- NSW Health, 2024-25 financial statements (all NSW rows)
- Auditor-General for South Australia, annual report for the year ended 30 June 2026 (SA rows)
- Victorian, Queensland, WA, Tasmanian and NT health service annual reports and parliamentary papers: linked row by row in the tables above and in the CSV