The Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) has highlighted a worsening trend of Australians working through pain or injury due to financial pressures and job insecurity. A new survey reveals the severity of this issue and its consequences for both employees and employers. The Impact of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders or Injuries on Australians 2026 report, based on responses from 1,056 participants, shows that 76% of people who had ever worked have suffered such conditions.
Among those currently experiencing pain, 89% continued working over the past year despite feeling they needed time off. Nearly half (49%) said they could not afford lost income, while 45% lacked the ability to take recovery time, and 42% delayed or avoided treatment because of financial constraints. Younger workers aged 18–30 were especially affected, with half citing job security concerns as their reason for pushing through discomfort.
Many employees treat pain as an unavoidable aspect of employment rather than seeking assistance. The survey found 40% had never disclosed their work-related pain to their employer, and 31% had never pursued diagnosis or treatment. Among those with work-related back pain, 44% reported symptoms lasting more than three months, while only 21% said their pain had fully resolved. Meanwhile, 55% of current workers had taken time off due to musculoskeletal disorders or injuries.
Dr. Billy Chow, president of the ACA, emphasized that untreated work-related injuries often worsen over time, particularly when ignored. He noted that work-related pain also affects mental health and wellbeing, with 72% of respondents reporting an impact. The figure rose to 82% among those aged 18 to 30. “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,” Chow said.
Common causes of these disorders include prolonged technology use, poor ergonomics, heavy lifting, repetitive movements, and poor posture—risks found across industries such as construction, manufacturing, transport, and healthcare. Deloitte Access Economics estimates these conditions cost Australia over $55.1 billion annually in healthcare expenses, lost productivity, absenteeism, and reduced quality of life. Workers’ compensation claims for related traumatic injuries and musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases had increased by 28.7% over the past eight years.
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