NSW Teachers claim $291m in workers compensation, 8 times as much as NSW Police

Thousands of teachers are currently undergoing rehabilitation for accidents in the classroom as the shocking cost of workers compensation claims is revealed. SEE THE FIGURES HERE.

Teachers have been granted more than $291 million in workers compensation claims in the past four and a half years.

• Revealed: Number of students bullied in our schools
• Shock number of physical, sexual assault payouts in NSW schools

A whopping 2000 NSW public school teachers are currently undergoing rehabilitation after being injured at work — as the cost of workers compensation claims to taxpayers reaches $291 million.

NSW Education Department data revealed the total cost of workers compensation claims paid out to teachers between the 2016-17 financial year and now comes in at $291,133,408.

In comparison, teachers have been awarded eight times the amount of NSW Police officers on the front line during the same period, with cops awarded $36 million worth of workers compensation claims.

However, the Education Department has five times as many staff as the NSW Police Force.

Claims by teachers included trips, falls, scrapes and psychological stress.

An Education Department spokesman said it was currently managing 2094 active rehabilitation cases relating to workers compensation claims by teachers, “less than 1.7 per cent of the current workforce, which totals around 120,000”.

“NSW government schools are one of the safest places in our communities,” the spokesman told NewsLocal. “The Department has in place comprehensive policies and procedures which focus on safety and wellbeing of staff and students.”

The spokesman said the number of compensation claims settled during the last four financial years was unavailable, however, the funds are paid through the Treasury Managed Funds scheme.

Teachers claimed 8 times the amount of NSW Police officers in the past four years.

“The primary reasons for workers compensation claims include injuries arising from incidents such as slips, trips and falls as staff move around schools during the day, superficial injuries, such as cuts and bruising, and manual handling injuries,” he said.

“Less frequent injuries include vehicle accidents and incidents impacting psychological wellbeing.”

Shadow Education Minister Prue Car said teachers deserve to be safe at work, “(but) we’re seeing it isn’t the case.”

“The gross mismanagement of the Education Department under this Liberal Government leaves taxpayers picking up a massive bill for payouts,” she said.

“When the Government tries to hide this information from the public, it’s clear there is something seriously wrong.”

The NSW Teachers Federation was contacted for comment.