Nine in ten tradies experienced a work-related injury in the past year and one in two say they live with severe pain. The new data released ahead of Tradies National Health Month shows the backbone of Australia’s workforce is suffering as productivity pressures mount.

One in every ten Australian workers are a tradieⁱ, and one in four of them fear they will need to retire early because of stress on their bodies.ⁱⁱ  

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is thrilled to announce substantial updates to the WorkCover Queensland (WCQ) Allied Health Services Table of Costs for the 2024-2025 financial year, including a notable 4.1% Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase and the introduction of a new tier for physiotherapy services that are provided by specialist physiotherapists as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists.

May 2024

Students in a range of degrees – including veterinary science, medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology – are also set to miss out on Labor’s proposed allowance, which will be outlined further in next week’s budget. The proposed payment is equivalent to about $8 an hour.

August 2023

Tradies National Health Month (TNHM), run by The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has begun, with concerns surrounding the pension age raising, sparking debate as the APA reports tradespeople being 'disproportionately' affected by workplace injury. 

A 'fair go’ for tradies has been a key concern following the pension age raise to 67 last month¹, with tradies already being disproportionately affected by workplace injuries and chronic conditions².  

Body stressing, lifting, pushing, pulling, or bending is the primary cause of workplace injury, with the most serious injury claims involving joints and muscles³.