--- title: "Workplace violence and psychological claims: a decade of data" description: "Assault claims at work in Australia more than doubled in 10 years. Safe Work Australia, US and NZ data on who is hurt, for how long, and what to train." canonical: https://peopletechrevolution.com/insights/workplace-violence-claims-data --- [Insights](https://peopletechrevolution.com/insights) # Workplace violence and psychological claims: what a decade of data shows Serious claims for being assaulted at work in Australia more than doubled in the 10 years to June 2024. By [Kim Loza](https://linkedin.com/in/kimberlyloza), Head of Product at People Tech Revolution Published 27 September 2026 · Last updated 28 September 2026 · Version 1.0 [Connect with Kim on LinkedIn ↗](https://linkedin.com/in/kimberlyloza) Cite this research National Safe Work Month, week 1 ## October’s theme is Safe work is for life For Week 1 of [National Safe Work Month](https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/national-safe-work-month), For life, 1 to 11 October: who is hurt at work, and for how long. A worker faces an agitated man. A nurse beside a patient at night. A care worker with a resident. Australia ## Assault claims more than doubled in 10 years Serious assault claims rose from 2,211 in the year to June 2015 to 4,667 in the year to June 2024 (preliminary). Australian serious claims by mechanism, 2015 to 2024 Being assaulted Exposure to violence and harassment Mental stress, all types See the data (serious claims) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024p Being assaulted 2,211 1,962 2,245 2,240 2,592 2,991 3,687 3,635 4,274 4,667 Exposure to violence and harassment 721 720 887 1,033 1,429 1,540 1,520 1,523 2,537 2,636 Mental stress, all types 6,261 6,391 7,144 8,078 10,143 10,781 11,816 11,785 14,617 16,839 Years to June; p is preliminary; claims with a working week or more off, not incidents. Source: [Safe Work Australia NDS, claims by mechanism](https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-10/National%20Dataset%20for%20Compensation%20Based%20Statistics%20detailed%20data%20file.xlsx). An officer and a man at a door. ### Violence and harassment claims more than tripled They rose from 721 to 2,636, 3.66 times; assault claims rose 2.11 times. Time lost ## Psychological claims record the longest time lost The median time lost on a violence and harassment claim rose from 10.2 working weeks (year to June 2015) to 32.1 (year to June 2023), more than triple. Median weeks lost per claim, 2015 to 2023 Exposure to violence and harassment Being assaulted All serious claims See the data (median working weeks) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Exposure to violence and harassment 10.2 11.6 12.0 15.7 17.6 18.4 20.4 28.6 32.1 Being assaulted 5.0 6.5 7.0 7.0 6.4 6.2 6.6 7.0 7.4 All serious claims 5.8 6.3 6.6 7.2 7.2 7.5 8.0 7.0 7.4 Years to June; no 2024 median yet. Source: [Safe Work Australia NDS, median time lost](https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-10/National%20Dataset%20for%20Compensation%20Based%20Statistics%20detailed%20data%20file.xlsx). A community nurse alone by a car. ### Mental health claims take the longest A median 35.7 working weeks in the year to June 2023, against 7.4 for all serious claims; they are 12% of serious claims ([Key WHS Statistics 2025](https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/key-whs-statistics-australia/latest-release)). A worker walks back into the office. ### Assault claims lost a median 5.0 to 7.4 weeks Across the years to June 2015 to 2023, against 10.2 to 32.1 for violence and harassment. Who carries it ## Nurses, support workers, carers and police lodge the most claims These occupations lodged the most violence and assault claims in the years to June 2018 to 2022; [clients and customers](https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/hazards-and-injuries/work-related-violence-aggression-australia) were the most common source. Violence claims by occupation, 2018 to 2022 Registered nurses 1,848 Welfare support workers 1,701 Aged and disabled carers 1,501 Police 1,476 Nursing support and personal care workers 1,386 See the data (serious claims) Measure Serious claims Registered nurses 1,848 Welfare support workers 1,701 Aged and disabled carers 1,501 Police 1,476 Nursing support and personal care workers 1,386 Serious claims. Source: [Safe Work Australia, Table 1](https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/hazards-and-injuries/work-related-violence-aggression-australia). A woman briefs a care worker. ### Women lodge more of these claims Women lodged 12,260 over those years, men 8,485. Women are 74% to 88% of workers in the nursing, welfare and care roles listed. A family services worker at a doorstep. ### For life Preliminary data counts at least 6 workers killed by assault in 2023, as many as in the 5 years before combined ([Safe Work Australia](https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/hazards-and-injuries/work-related-violence-aggression-australia)). United States ## Health care holds 72.8% of private industry violence cases In 2021 and 2022, private health care and social assistance recorded 41,960 violence cases with days away, restricted work or a transfer ([BLS](https://www.bls.gov/iif/factsheets/workplace-violence-2021-2022.htm)). US health care violence rate, 2011 to 2018 Health care and social assistance See the data (per 10,000 full-time workers) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Health care and social assistance 6.4 7.0 7.8 8.2 8.0 8.4 9.1 10.4 Cases with days away from work. Source: [BLS, Workplace Violence in Healthcare, 2018](https://www.bls.gov/iif/factsheets/workplace-violence-healthcare-2018.htm). A clinician sits with a young man. ### Psychiatric aides: 543.6 cases per 10,000 full-time workers In 2021 and 2022 the health care rate was 14.2 per 10,000 full-time workers, against 2.9 across private industry. The psychiatric aide rate of 543.6 counts cases with days away, restricted work or a transfer. New Zealand ## 34% of healthcare workers report threats of violence [WorkSafe New Zealand’s 2022 survey](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/research/a-psychosocial-survey-of-healthcare-workers/) of 1,067 healthcare workers found 34% reported threats; its [2021 survey](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/research/new-zealand-psychosocial-survey/) of 3,612 workers found 14%. New Zealand: threats of violence reported Healthcare workers, 2022 survey 34% All workers, 2021 survey 14% See the data (percent reporting) Measure Percent reporting Healthcare workers, 2022 survey 34% All workers, 2021 survey 14% Separate surveys of different groups. Source: [WorkSafe New Zealand](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/research/a-psychosocial-survey-of-healthcare-workers/); [all-worker survey](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/research/new-zealand-psychosocial-survey/). Assaults on Health NZ hospital staff Reported assaults See the data (reported assaults) 2023 2024 2025 Reported assaults 6,001 6,635 7,777 Years to June. Source: [RNZ reporting Health NZ](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/573779/hospital-system-under-pressure-blamed-for-increased-staff-assaults). A clinician talks with an older man. ### Reported assaults rose each year, 6,001 to 7,777 From 6,001 in the year to June 2023 to 7,777 in the year to June 2025. Training ## Trained is not the same as handled In [AHRQ 2024 hospital workplace safety data](https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/sops/databases/hospital/2024-hospital-workplace-safety-report-ptI.pdf) from 61,767 providers and staff, training to de-escalate averaged 71% positive across hospitals; the composite for addressing aggression from patients or visitors averaged 49%. US hospitals: trained against handled, 2024 Item: staff are trained to de-escalate aggression 71% Composite: aggression is appropriately addressed 49% Emergency and short stay units, average of all composites 57% See the data (average percent positive) Measure Average percent positive Item: staff are trained to de-escalate aggression 71% Composite: aggression is appropriately addressed 49% Emergency and short stay units, average of all composites 57% Average percent positive across hospitals; voluntary data, not a representative sample of US hospitals. Source: [AHRQ report](https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/sops/databases/hospital/2024-hospital-workplace-safety-report-ptI.pdf); [AHRQ summary](https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/sops/databases/hospital/2024-hospital-workplace-safety-summary.pdf). A worker faces a customer. ### What the Cochrane review found A [Cochrane review](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011860.pub2) of 9 studies with 1,688 participants found training may increase knowledge and positive attitudes, but may not have an effect on workplace aggression toward healthcare workers. See [what the VR de-escalation studies measured](https://peopletechrevolution.com/insights/vr-de-escalation-training-evidence). Safe Work Month ## What should you bring to the October safety meeting? Your claims by mechanism, the roles on your roster that match the national pattern, time lost on psychological claims, and a before and after measure. Colleagues meet at a round table. ### Your claims beside the national lines Set your claims against the national series; mark the listed occupations on your roster. A crew leader runs a briefing. ### The duty behind the numbers Employers must eliminate or minimise psychosocial risks, including violence and aggression. See [psychosocial hazards at work](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/psychosocial-hazards) and [occupational violence rules in Australia](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/occupational-violence-australia). A supervisor beside a quiet driver. ### A before and after measure Ask staff, before and after training, whether they are trained to de-escalate and whether aggression is appropriately addressed. See [the speaking up authority gap](https://peopletechrevolution.com/insights/speaking-up-authority-gap). - [Training for safety and wellbeing leads](https://peopletechrevolution.com/training/for-safety-and-wellbeing-leads) - [De-escalation training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/training/de-escalation) - [Workplace violence rules compared](https://peopletechrevolution.com/insights/four-regulators-one-method) - [Occupational violence in Australia](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/occupational-violence-australia) ## Cite this research Free to quote and cite with a link to this page. Name the version you read, so readers can see what has changed since. APA 7 Loza, K. (2026, September 27). Workplace violence and psychological claims: what a decade of data shows (Version 1.0). People Tech Revolution. https://peopletechrevolution.com/insights/workplace-violence-claims-data Copy citation Data: Safe Work Australia National Dataset detailed data file (1 October 2025), Key WHS Statistics 2025 and violence and aggression report (August 2024); BLS; AHRQ; WorkSafe New Zealand; Health NZ figures reported by RNZ. Read 26 September 2026. Limits: Australian figures count serious claims, a working week or more off, not incidents; AHRQ data is voluntary and not representative of US hospitals; countries measure differently and are not compared. ### Version history Version Date What changed Version 1.0 27 September 2026 First published. Planning what to bring to the October safety meeting? [Open the contact form](https://peopletechrevolution.com/insights/workplace-violence-claims-data#contact) Ask our CEO Simon Lowe’s Digital Twin a question ## Sources Each dataset and report at its publisher. ### [National Dataset for Compensation-based Statistics, detailed data file](https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-10/National%20Dataset%20for%20Compensation%20Based%20Statistics%20detailed%20data%20file.xlsx) Safe Work Australia, 1 October 2025 Claims and time lost. ### [Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2025](https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/key-whs-statistics-australia/latest-release) Safe Work Australia Mental health claims. ### [Workplace and work-related violence and aggression in Australia](https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/hazards-and-injuries/work-related-violence-aggression-australia) Safe Work Australia, August 2024 Occupations, sex, deaths. ### [Workplace violence in private industry, 2021 to 2022](https://www.bls.gov/iif/factsheets/workplace-violence-2021-2022.htm) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Share and rates. ### [Workplace Violence in Healthcare, 2018](https://www.bls.gov/iif/factsheets/workplace-violence-healthcare-2018.htm) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Rates, 2011 to 2018. ### [A psychosocial survey of healthcare workers](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/research/a-psychosocial-survey-of-healthcare-workers/) WorkSafe New Zealand Healthcare workers, 2022. ### [New Zealand psychosocial survey](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/research/new-zealand-psychosocial-survey/) WorkSafe New Zealand All workers, 2021. ### [Hospital system under pressure blamed for increased staff assaults](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/573779/hospital-system-under-pressure-blamed-for-increased-staff-assaults) RNZ, 22 September 2025 Health NZ assaults. ### [Hospital Workplace Safety Supplemental Items, 2024](https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/sops/databases/hospital/2024-hospital-workplace-safety-report-ptI.pdf) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Hospital averages. ### [Education and training for preventing and minimizing workplace aggression directed toward healthcare workers](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011860.pub2) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 What training changed. ### [National Safe Work Month](https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/national-safe-work-month) Safe Work Australia The 2026 themes.