Occupational health and safety
Occupational health and safety remain a cornerstone of our commitment to our people. Paramedics face unique physical and psychological challenges that require proactive and comprehensive safety measures. Ensuring strong health and safety practices not only protects our workforce, but it also directly contributes to better patient care and service delivery.
Through our Health and Safety Action Plan, AV continues to address key risks such as fatigue, occupational violence, manual handling, and psychosocial hazards. These targeted strategies are designed to reduce injury and illness, while fostering a culture of resilience, safety, and wellbeing.
By focusing on prevention and early intervention, and by supporting staff when injuries do occur, AV is building a sustainable and engaged workforce, one that is equipped to meet the demands of the role and deliver exceptional care to the Victorian community.
| 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of workplace fatalities | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)1 | 102.0 | 96.4 | 77.99 |
| Average number of Standard claims per 100 FTE (Full time Equivalent) employees1 | 10.6 | 10.4 | 10.8 |
| Average number of Standard claims per 1,000,000 hours worked1 | 70.5 | 66.7 | 69.5 |
| Average cost per WorkCover Standard claim2 | $92,097 | $111,806 | $101,120 |
| Number of reported hazards/incidents for the year per 100 FTE3 | 83.8 | 80.2 | 59.5 |
| Percentage of WorkCover Standard claims with a RTW plan initiated4 | 95 | 86 | 100 |
| Percentage of employees immunised against influenza (including ACOs)5 | 79.5 | 91.3 | 88.1 |
| Number of Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) positions filled6 | 356 | 341 | 297 |
Notes
1. An increased number of standard WorkCover claims in 2024-25 impacted the LTIFR, the average number of standard claims per 100 FTE and the average cost per WorkCover standard claim rates. The average number of standard claims per 1,000,000 hours worked is impacted by both an increase in volume of standard claims received, and the fluctuating nature of productive hours worked.
2. Claims costs mature over time, and as such the data captured reflects the costs received as at the end of June 2025. Claims costs from previous financial years will have matured and consequently figures will differ from previous annual reports.
3. The number of hazards / incidents / injuries (HIIs) as logged in AV鈥檚 Health Safety and Claims System per 100 FTE.
4. The percentage of Standard claims with return-to-work plans is calculated from a sample and excludes claims with less than 10 days鈥� time loss. AV鈥檚 result of 95 per cent reflects the significant increase in overall claims volume, and the resulting resourcing impact.
5. The percentage of employees immunised is reflective of the final percentage with the 2023-24 influenza season, August 2024.
6. HSRs have increased in number over the past three years and align with the growth in the paramedic workforce and the number of AV locations. Number includes Deputy HSRs.
Definitions
a. Accepted WorkCover claims 鈥� accepted WorkCover claims that were lodged in financial year.
b. Lost Time 鈥� defined as greater than one day.
Updated