Nine in ten working Australians with work-related pain kept working over the past year, even though they felt they should have rested, according to a new national survey.
The 2026 Impact of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders or Injuries on Australians survey of 1,056 Australians was commissioned by the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) and conducted by Pureprofile. It was released for WorkSpace Week, which runs from Monday, 19 October to Sunday, 25 October.
Money was a major reason. Almost half (49 per cent) of those who worked through pain said they could not afford to lose income, rising to 54 per cent of women. The cost of living also stopped 45 per cent of working pain sufferers from taking time off to recover, and 42 per cent delayed or avoided medical treatment because of financial pressures.
“The survey results show work-related pain has become an accepted part of working life for most Australians, with too many continuing to work rather than modify behaviour or seek early diagnosis and effective treatment,” said ACA President Dr Billy Chow.
“When people with a work-related injury continue working, a short-term problem can develop into a chronic condition that poses real long-term consequences for workers, their families, employers and the Australian economy.”
Three in four Australians (76 per cent) who have worked at some point in their lives have experienced a work-related musculoskeletal disorder or injury. Among current workers, the figure rises to 83 per cent. Of current workers with pain, 43 per cent continue to work regularly with pain despite feeling they should rest, and 40 per cent never told their employer.
Women reported work-related pain early and often. Eighty-five per cent of currently working women had work-related pain in the past 12 months, compared with 79 per cent of men. The figure was 92 per cent for working women aged 18 to 24.
Regional respondents were more likely than metro respondents to have work-related pain regularly (46 per cent compared with 36 per cent). They were also less likely to take time off (41 per cent compared with 54 per cent).
Thirty-one per cent of workers with pain have never sought a diagnosis or treatment, and 65 per cent have at least one untreated condition. Back pain is becoming chronic. For 44 per cent of workers, it has lasted longer than three months, compared with 21 per cent who said it had completely resolved.
Clinical healthcare workers were hardest hit, at 93 per cent. Among those whose jobs involve pushing and pulling, the figure was 91 per cent, and for lifting it was 88 per cent. For computer or desk work, it was 83 per cent.
“With over 400 serious workers’ compensation claims lodged daily, we must prioritise workplace safety controls, regular risk assessments and early intervention to help prevent the long-term impacts on health, wellbeing and productivity,” Dr Chow said.
The cost to the nation is large. Direct health spending on musculoskeletal disorders reached $17.5 billion in 2024-25, according to new figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. That is about 9 per cent of health system spending attributed to disease and injury. Combined with lost productivity, absenteeism, and reduced quality of life, Deloitte Access Economics puts the cost to the economy above $55.1 billion a year.
Safe Work Australia reports that 53 per cent of workers’ compensation claims for serious injuries are for these disorders.
“Of concern is that 52% of workers surveyed said they’re too busy to move or take movement or stretching breaks, 42% said they forget, and only 33% of those who work at a workplace take breaks often or every hour,” Dr Chow said.
The injuries are also taking a psychological toll. Seventy-two per cent of sufferers reported an impact on their mental health and wellbeing, rising to 82 per cent of 18 to 30 year-olds.
“Without early intervention, the relationship between pain and mental health can become a vicious cycle, worsening both conditions and affecting workers, their families and employers,” Dr Chow said.
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