No one goes to work expecting to be injured. But when a worker is hurt by their work, it’s important that we have a strong system to support them.

A workplace injury can affect every part of someone’s life – their health, income, family, confidence, and connection to work.

For too many injured workers, the weeks, months, and years after getting injured are stressful and confusing. A fair workers’ compensation system should provide treatment, income support, and rehabilitation when workers need it most.

In South Australia, our workers’ compensation system is run by ReturnToWorkSA. When the system works well, it helps injured workers recover, stay connected to work, and avoid financial hardship.

But too often, injured workers face delays, poor communication, and unfair barriers which stop them receiving the support they need. Instead of helping workers recover, the system forces them to jump through hoops, repeatedly prove that their injury is real, and fight for treatment.

Getting injured is hard enough. The system shouldn’t make it worse.

That’s why injured workers need a real voice in reform. People with direct experience of our broken system know where it’s working, where it’s failing, and what needs to change. South Australians deserve a system that’s accessible, fast, and treats injured workers as people, not just claim numbers.

What is the Injured Workers Campaign Network?

We’re workers who know what it’s like to get injured at work and struggle against a system that’s supposed to support us.

The Injured Workers Campaign Network use our lived experiences to inform ideas to fix the Return to Work system.

The SA Government has announced a plan for an independent review aimed at improving the Return to Work system.

This independent review is the best opportunity in over a decade for injured workers to tell our stories, turn up the heat on decision-makers, and fight for a system that treats people with dignity, fairness, and respect.

We also know that injuries can leave people feeling isolated as they focus on getting better, often for long periods away from work. The Injured Workers Campaign Network is a source of connection and solidarity for injured workers. We are proudly part of the South Australian union movement and help injured workers maintain connection with their union.

Why are we getting active?

The upcoming review into the Return to Work Act is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to push for ambitious reforms to South Australia’s workers’ compensation system.

That’s why we’re taking action by:

• Sharing our real experiences to strengthen the case for change which the union movement will present to the independent review.
• Getting involved in collective action to make sure politicians and decision-makers know what needs to change.
• Building long-term power for injured workers to make sure our voices are always at the heart of the workers’ compensation system.

How can I get involved now?

Anyone with experience of the Return to Work system is encouraged to share their story and thoughts through our online survey.

What happens with your story is totally up to you.

Before beginning the survey, you will be asked how you would like your information to be handled. You can choose for your story to remain completely or partially confidential.

If you share your contact details, we may reach out to you to discuss your answers to the survey and talk about how your experience relates to our campaigning and advocacy.

You can also request to be contacted before any of the information is used, to discuss exactly how it will be used.

OUR MISSION
To transform South Australia’s workers’ compensation system into one that puts injured workers first, supports genuine recovery, protects livelihoods, and guarantees dignity, respect, and fairness at every stage.