During 2009-10, about 640,700 people (5.3 per cent of the 12 million people employed at some time in the last 12 months) experienced a work-related injury or illness, compared with 690,000 (6.4 per cent) in 2005-06.
Of the people who worked at during the last year, men were still more likely to experience a work-related injury or illness at 55 per 1,000 men (down from 74 per 1,000 in 2005-06) than women at 51 per 1,000 women (same rate as in 2005-06).
More than half of people who experienced a work-related injury or illness were men (56 percent).
The highest rates of work-related injury or illness were experienced in the 45-49 year age group (74 per 1,000 men and 70 per 1,000 women).
However, the highest decrease for young men was in the rates of incidence of work-related injuries.
The most commonly reported injuries or illnesses were sprains and strains (30 per cent), followed by chronic joint or muscle conditions (18 per cent), and cuts or open wounds (16 per cent).
Around half of the most recent work-related injury or illness was sustained mostly by lifting, pushing or pulling objects (27 per cent) or by hitting or being hit or cut by an object (25 per cent).
More than 60 per cent of those who experienced a work-related injury received some sort of financial assistance, and of those who received financial assistance more than half (59 per cent) received workers' compensation.
According to the ABS more than 55 per cent of those who experienced a work-related injury had some time off.
About 30 per cent of persons who worked at some time in the last 12 months had not received formal training in occupational health and safety risks in the workplace.
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