Unions NSW
May 2025
In April and May 2025, Unions NSW surveyed essential workers to understand the impact of the state government’s proposed changes to the workers compensation system, which would make it more difficult for seriously injured workers to access mental health support and financial support.
More than 10,000 essential workers — including teachers, disability workers, firefighters, health services workers and emergency services personnel — responded to the survey. The results and accompanying testimonies show workers overwhelmingly reject the NSW government’s proposed changes, with many indicating they would be put at extreme risk of further harm or would face severe financial hardship if they are passed by Parliament.
This report details the survey results and examines feedback from workers about how the NSW government’s proposed cuts would impact on them and their families.
The Conclusion (p7) outlines Unions NSW’s proposed alternative to the government’s cuts. This five-point plan charts a path to financial sustainability without abandoning frontline workers, focusing on prevention, improving return-to-work rates, reducing waste, and creating sustainable funding models without cutting benefits to injured workers.
A work place injury is just that, whether physical or psychosocial, an injury sustained doing essential jobs which are very difficult and confronting.
