Young Workers at Risk: SA Unions & EML Group Launch Young Workers’ EDUCATION to Tackle Alarming Workplace Injury Rates

SA Unions is launching SA Young Workers in response to a disturbing rise in workplace injuries among young South Australians. In partnership with EML Group, a leading manager of personal injury claims, the centre will focus on equipping young workers with the knowledge and support they need to stay safe at work—before they get hurt.

Workplace Injuries Among Young Workers Are Soaring

Young workers, particularly those under 18, are being injured at unprecedented rates:

• Injuries among workers aged 18 and under have nearly doubled in the past five years, from 150 cases in 2020 to 269 in 2024.
• Male workers are disproportionately affected, with claims skewing at a ratio of 4:1.
• According to SafeWork Australia data, every week an average of 13 young workers are seriously injured in SA.
• Key high-risk industries:
  • Construction and Manufacturing (especially for young men in apprentice and labouring roles).
  • Retail, Hospitality, and Manufacturing (where young women in labour hire, personal care, and sales roles face significant hazards).

“It Shouldn’t Have Happened” – June’s Story

June, an 18-year-old retail worker, has seen firsthand how dangerous workplaces can be for young people.

“A colleague of mine tripped over a cable from a fan because the shopping centre refused to fix the air-conditioning. They fell hard and broke their arm. The worst part? It should never have happened. We were never told we had a right to refuse unsafe work, we’re just expected to keep going like normal.”

“I meet lots of other young workers who don’t know their rights and don’t want to speak up about safety, or they’ll lose their shifts or be seen as difficult.”

SA YOUNG WORKERS: A Solution to a Growing Crisis

SA Young Workers will take direct action to protect young workers by:

• Providing education workshops on workplace rights, health and safety, and how to navigate high-risk industries.
• Partnering with schools, TAFE, and youth organisations to reach young workers before they enter the workforce.
• Offering support and resources so young workers know they don’t have to accept unsafe conditions.

“For many young workers, these statistics aren’t just numbers, they represent real risks they face daily,”

“No young worker should have to risk their safety just to keep a job. Injuries like June’s colleague’s are preventable, when workers know their rights, they can refuse unsafe work and demand better conditions. That’s exactly why SA Young Workers is so important.”

“SA Young Workers is more than just an education initiative, it’s about empowering young people to stand up for their rights, demand safe conditions, and prevent avoidable injuries. As injury rates for young workers climb, SA Unions is making it clear: young workers deserve better, and change starts now.”

“Everyone that goes to work deserves to come home safe and healthy and this is particularly important for those entering the workplace early in their careers. EML Group takes great pride in partnering on the establishment of SA Young Workers, combining our expertise with the commitment of SA Unions to reduce harm, through creating safer workplaces, raising awareness and helping those injured at work recover and get their lives back”