Victorian universities fork out thousands of dollars in WorkCover claims after 180 staff injured

Some of Victoria’s biggest universities had to pay thousands of dollars in compensation to staff and students who injured themselves while on campus last year. See how your university fared.

Generic image of a workplace injury claim form. Photo from iStock.

More than 180 staff and students were injured at Victorian universities last year, with institutions forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in WorkCover claims as a result.

Exposure to chemicals, vehicle incidents and explosions were among the causes of injuries across the state’s tertiary campuses, with a number of other close calls also reported, a Saturday Herald Sun analysis of Victorian universities’ 2024 annual reports revealed.

Deakin University recorded the highest number of total injuries, with 116 students and staff wounded or had encountered a medical event last year.

Deakin University had the most comprehensive OH&S report. Picture: Facebook

The institution had the most comprehensive breakdown of student and staff injuries, with slips, trips and falls the most common causes, followed by people wounding themselves after hitting objects and muscular or body stress.

Another 18 people were hurt in vehicle or other incidents, while 30 staff and students were hit by moving objects.

Just under 30 WorkCover claims were made against the university last year, with Deakin paying out on average $32,912 per claim.

The University of Melbourne also had an extensive overview on how people were injured at its campuses last year, with falls the most common dangerous occurrence.

Six people encountered a temporary loss of bodily function, while five were treated for a laceration.

There were also five people who suffered an electric shock and two people injured in an uncontrolled implosion, explosion or fire.

Despite seeing a 45 per cent reduction in compensation claims compared to 2023, the University of Melbourne had incurred the highest number of WorkCover claims – 43 – out of all institutions last year with an average cost of $12,527.

The university’s chief operating officer Katerina Kapobassis said the university was “committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community”.

“We have a mature health and safety management system that is externally certified to ISO45001. This is supported by training for students, staff, and contractors accessing our campuses,” she said.

“In 2024, over 50,000 training modules were completed. We also encourage individuals to report any concerns so they can be addressed promptly.”

Meanwhile, RMIT had to fork out on average $59,300 per claim – the highest in the state – after receiving 38 WorkCover claims in 2024.

The university recorded 21 notifiable incidents, which is a 61 per cent increase from 2023, and 715 occupational health and safety incident reports.

Swinburne University of Technology reported 13 notifiable incidents, while Victoria University reported 12 notifiable incidents.

A Victoria University spokeswoman said the institution had “several processes and programs in place to keep our students and staff safe”.

Arnold Thomas and Becker principal Aki Munir said in the past 12 months, the law firm has been approached by almost two dozen students and staff seeking to make claims against a university.

“Some students have alleged that they have experienced abuse and/ or bullying, while others have reported falls or other injuries on campus,” she said.

“There are also a number of staff that have come forward with complaints of mental injuries caused by bullying, gendered violence and stress.”

Last year, WorkSafe inspectors conducted 145 visits and issued seven compliance notices to workplaces in the higher education sector, including 130 in response to an incident, dispute or concern for health and safety.

A WorkSafe spokesman said: “higher education plays an essential role in our communities and duty holders must do everything they can to ensure universities are safe places to work and learn.”

The University of Melbourne had incurred the highest number of WorkCover claims out of all institutions in Victoria last year.

Meanwhile, students who injure themselves on campus might be covered by the university’s public liability insurance depending on the circumstances.

If an injured student is not satisfied with the way the university has handled their injury, they have the option of contacting independent complaints service the National Student Ombudsman (NSO) for advice.

“The NSO will examine whether the actions and decisions taken by a university have been reasonable, just, and fair and that they support students to continue with their studies,” a NSO spokesman said.