Workplace injuries cost the Australian economy more than $60 billion a year, research by workplace healthcare provider Konekt shows.

Musculoskeletal injuries account for 60% of referral cases and mental injuries 12%, according to the five-year study of 95,000 cases.

Rehabilitation of mental injury cases costs the most, averaging $1364.

The study shows three times as many referrals for non-compensation cases than for workers’ compensation cases.

“Konekt sees this as an important early warning for the likely flow-through effects to schemes and insurers,” the report says.

Direct and indirect workers’ compensation costs for psychological injury claims significantly exceed all other types, it warns.

“Konekt’s view is current and future actuarial and premium assumptions do not yet adequately anticipate this change in injury profile and cost.”

Workplace mental health consultant Peter Cotton, who launched the report in Sydney last week, says 20% of Australia’s workforce suffers mental health issues.

“But not all make it to the claim stage, particularly as there are more avenues opening up to manage mental health concerns, such as online support services.”

He says referrals have grown for problems such as anxiety and depression, perhaps due to increased workplace and economic pressures.

There is a need to increase the focus on pre-claim intervention and referral, Dr Cotton told insuranceNEWS.com.au. Most organisations still have a reactive approach to staff wellbeing.

“People are staying off work longer, so there’s an impact on compensation insurers and super [fund] income protection insurers.”

The average time from reporting an injury to referral for support and return-to-work services is 90 weeks, the survey shows.

This may be due to people fearing for their job security if they claim, Dr Cotton says.

The less time people spend in the compensation system, the better the return-to-work result, the survey shows. If a person is off work 20 days, their chance of returning is 70%. For 70 days off, the figure drops to 35%.

The Queensland Government has saved about $9 million with an early intervention program, Konekt says.

Return-to-work rates average 88% for compensation referrals and 94% for non-compensation, according to the study.