WorkSafe Queensland has commenced a targeted 2026–27 audit of Queensland workers’ compensation insurers, examining whether they take “all reasonable steps” to stop a worker’s physical injury developing into a secondary psychological injury. Findings are due in December 2026. The message for employers: regulators now treat psychological harm after an injury as preventable — and expect early, capable support.
Key facts at a glance
- The targeted audit commenced in July 2026 and covers all Queensland workers’ compensation insurers.
- It tests compliance with the statutory obligation under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld) to take all reasonable steps to prevent secondary psychological injuries.
- Audit findings will be reported to the Queensland workers’ compensation scheme in December 2026.
- Nationally, serious psychological injury claims hit a record 17,600 in 2023–24, up 14.7% in a single year (Safe Work Australia).
- Research reported in July 2026 puts the rise in serious mental-health claims at 161% over the decade to 2023–24 — the largest increase of any injury category.
- Median time lost for a psychological claim is 35.7 weeks — roughly five times other serious claims.
A note on this topic: this article discusses workplace psychological injury. If anything here raises something personal for you, support is available 24/7 from Lifeline on 13 11 14.
What is a secondary psychological injury?
A secondary psychological injury is a mental-health condition — such as depression, anxiety or an adjustment disorder — that develops after and because of a physical workplace injury and the experience that follows it. The original claim might be a crushed hand, a back injury or burns; the secondary injury grows out of pain, prolonged recovery, financial stress, isolation from workmates, or a poorly handled claims and return-to-work process.
Queensland’s workers’ compensation law treats this as a foreseeable, preventable risk. Under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld), insurers must take all reasonable steps — early intervention, counselling and support services among them — to minimise the chance that a physical injury cascades into a psychological one.
What exactly is WorkSafe Queensland auditing?
According to WorkSafe Queensland’s June 2026 rehabilitation and return-to-work bulletin, the 2026–27 targeted audit will assess how well insurers comply with that early-intervention obligation. The audit commenced in July 2026 and reports back to the scheme in December 2026.
The audit targets insurers rather than employers directly. But insurers discharge much of that duty through workplaces — return-to-work coordination, suitable duties plans and communication with injured workers all happen at the employer’s end. Where an insurer’s audit trail shows gaps, the questions flow quickly to how the employer supported (or ignored) the injured worker.
Why is the regulator focusing on this now?
Because the numbers keep moving in one direction. Safe Work Australia’s most recent national statistics show psychological claims are the fastest-growing and most expensive category of serious workers’ compensation claims — a trend we covered in detail when the national claims record hit 17,600.
| Measure | Latest figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Serious psychological injury claims (2023–24) | 17,600 — a record, up 14.7% in one year | Safe Work Australia, Key WHS Statistics 2025 |
| Growth over the decade to 2023–24 | 161% — the largest increase of any injury category | Research reported via The Conversation, July 2026 |
| Median time lost per psychological claim | 35.7 weeks (~5× other serious claims) | Safe Work Australia |
| Median compensation per psychological claim | $67,400 (vs ~$16,300 for other serious claims) | Safe Work Australia |
| Queensland insurer audit reports due | December 2026 | WorkSafe Queensland |
Regulators have spent the past two years tightening the front end of this problem — psychosocial hazard duties, enforceable codes of practice and a wave of enforcement we’ve tracked across psychosocial hazards at work and the landmark 2026 investigations ruling. The Queensland audit extends that scrutiny to the back end: what happens to a worker after they’re injured.
What does this mean for Queensland employers?
Three practical signals stand out.
First, the post-injury period is now regulated territory. How a workplace communicates with an injured worker, how quickly support is offered, and whether the return-to-work process is handled with care are no longer just good practice — they sit inside a statutory duty that a regulator is actively auditing.
Second, expect insurers to push expectations downstream. An insurer being audited on early intervention will look to its employer clients for evidence: who contacted the worker, when, what support was offered, and who in the business was capable of recognising early signs of psychological distress.
Third, capability is the gap. Most workplaces have a first aid officer for physical injuries. Far fewer have anyone trained to respond to the psychological side of an incident or a difficult recovery — which is precisely the window in which secondary psychological injuries take hold.
How does psychological first aid fit in?
Psychological first aid is the recognised framework for supporting people in distress after difficult events — including workplace injuries — without diagnosing or counselling. Building that capability in-house is the most direct way an employer can demonstrate early intervention in practice.
FMS Training delivers the nationally recognised accredited Psychological First Aid course (PUARCV001) — online, self-paced and available Australia-wide, delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO 45189) with more than 1,300 five-star reviews. Team members who complete it hold a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment and can become accredited psychological first aiders for their workplace.
Frequently asked questions
What is a secondary psychological injury?
A secondary psychological injury is a mental-health condition, such as depression or anxiety, that develops as a consequence of a physical workplace injury — driven by pain, prolonged recovery, financial stress or a poorly handled claims and return-to-work experience.
Who is WorkSafe Queensland auditing in 2026–27?
All Queensland workers’ compensation insurers. The targeted audit assesses whether insurers take all reasonable steps to prevent physical injuries developing into secondary psychological injuries, with findings reported in December 2026.
Does the audit apply to employers directly?
No — it audits insurers. But insurers deliver early intervention through workplaces, so employers should expect closer scrutiny of how quickly and how well they support injured workers during recovery and return to work.
Why are secondary psychological injuries a growing focus?
Serious psychological claims reached a record 17,600 nationally in 2023–24 and take a median 35.7 weeks off work — around five times longer than other serious claims — making them the fastest-growing and most costly claim category.
What law creates the obligation being audited?
The Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld), which requires insurers to take all reasonable steps — including early intervention, counselling and support services — to minimise the risk of secondary psychological injury.
When will the audit findings be reported?
WorkSafe Queensland has advised the audit commenced in July 2026 and will report back to the Queensland workers’ compensation scheme in December 2026.
What can employers do to reduce the risk of secondary psychological injuries?
Stay in genuine contact with injured workers, offer support early, handle claims and return-to-work processes with care, and train staff to recognise and respond to psychological distress — for example through an accredited psychological first aid course.
Is psychological first aid training nationally recognised?
Yes — PUARCV001 Provide Psychological First Aid is a nationally recognised unit of competency. Delivered by a registered training organisation, it leads to a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment and is available online across Australia.
Sources: WorkSafe Queensland — 2026 targeted audit: early intervention to prevent secondary psychological injuries · Safe Work Australia — Key WHS Statistics Australia 2025 · The Conversation — Workplace depression is common (2 July 2026).