Key Takeaways from the National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030

Safe Work Australia’s National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030 details a coordinated approach to improving recovery and return to work outcomes for injured workers across Australia. As we hit the halfway mark of the national strategy, Safe Work Australia has released valuable insights into what is working well and where more effort is required. These findings also highlight where employers, supervisors and workplaces can make the biggest impact. By understanding how the strategy is tracking along, it helps workplaces strengthen their return to work practices, support people and keep up with changing expectations and legislation.

What the National Return to Work Strategy Aims to Achieve

The focus of the National Return to Work Strategy is to miminise the impact of work-related injury and illnesses and enable a timely, safe and durable return to work.

The main outcomes of the Strategy focus on:

• A safe and sustainable return to work that not only gets people back to work but ensures that they feel supported.
• Positive worker experiences that recognise that return to work is more than just physical recovery but also about psychological wellbeing, engagement and a sense of purpose.
• Investing in early intervention programs to ensure that workers are getting the help they need before things escalate.
• Equipping workers, supervisors, RTW coordinators and stakeholders with the skills, tools and frameworks to manage return to work effectively.

A combined national approach helps create consistency, promote best practice, and support workforce wellbeing across all states and territories.

Key Findings from the Mid-Term Review

The 2025 mid term review has revealed that important progress has been made however, there are some areas that require renewed attention.

Progress and Successes

• More collaboration across states and territories.
• Greater alignment of return-to-work priorities.
• Increase in sharing resources, research and practical tools for employers.
• Broader recognition of the complexity of psychological injuries.
• More guidance material now available to help employers identify and manage psychosocial hazards.
• Clearer and more practical guidance for small and medium businesses.
• Tools and templates supporting managers to initiate early and safe returns to work.
• New insights into stigma, workplace culture and barriers to recovery.
• A growing emphasis on using worker experience to guide better practice.

Ongoing Challenges

Although the Strategy highlights encouraging progress, the review also identifies several challenges that directly impact employers and workplaces. These include:

• Return to work rates not improving consistently.
• Some early return to work metrics are trending unfavourably.
• There have been more psychological injury claims, with longer average recovery times.
• An increased need for early intervention and supportive workplace culture.
• Casual, gig, younger and regional workers are facing additional barriers to recovery.
• Tailored and flexible approaches are needed to meet diverse workforce needs.

What is means for employers 

• Early intervention is crucial and is particularly important as psychological injuries continue to rise.
• Supervisors play a central role in creating effective return to work outcomes. Their capability, communication style and confidence can significantly influence a worker’s recovery.
• A positive worker experience matters. Consistent communication, empathy and meaningful modified duties can substantially improve outcomes.
• Proactive return to work and WHS practices reduce claim durations and associated costs.
• Workplaces must adapt to evolving risks, changing workforce conditions and new regulatory expectations.

How we can help 

At Recovery Partners we work with organisations across Australia to create strong and consistent return to work outcomes. Our services align directly with the priorities outlined in the national strategy.

We offer:

• Evidence-based physical and psychological injury management
• Psychosocial hazard management
• Return to work coordination
• Early intervention programs such as psychological assessments, injury triage and pre-employment health assessments

The mid term review of the National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030 highlights that there has been clear progress made however notes that there is a need for a renewed focus on early intervention, psychological injury support and workforce capability.

If you are an employer, now is the time to strengthen your return to work processes, ensure that you supervisors are adequately trained and that you are creating a workplace that supports safe and sustainable recovery.