Free Knowledge Base Articles

RTWMatters is Australia’s leading independent resource for return to work professionals.

Dr Mary Wyatt is committed to sharing information that can make a meaningful difference to RTW experiences and outcomes. Based on feedback that shows some people have difficulty convincing their employers to provide access, we have decided to make about 1 of every 7 articles free - and create a small best practice knowledge base that is available to everyone.

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Listed below are our Free Articles - Click the ‘Free Research Articles’ button to visit our Free Research Summaries and Updates.

Millions of Australians have a chronic illness. So why aren’t employers accommodating them?

contributorPeter Ghin & Susan Ainsworth

More than 20 million Australians have at least one long-term health condition, 63% of whom are...

EAST-ern medicine — how behavioural science can help people self-manage their health and wellbeing

contributorLauren Finestone

A guide about what drives our behaviour can help people living with long-term conditions and...

Threading the needle (Part 2) — tips for managing RTW for injured or ill workers

contributorLauren Finestone

Safework Australia has new guide helps supervisors in small and medium businesses tread the...

Threading the needle (Part 1) — tips for managing RTW for injured or ill workers

contributorLauren Finestone

Safework Australia's new guide helps supervisors in small and medium businesses tread the tricky...

Managing musculoskeletal conditions at work (Part 2) — 6 steps to a job change

contributorLauren Finestone

For some people with back pain or other musculoskeletal conditions, self-management may mean...

Look and see - highlighting the impact of psychological hazards on police

contributorDr Nick Ford & John Schumann

‘Real stories from real cops’—how to recognise and reduce the impact of psychological hazards on...

Workplace mental health resources by jurisdiction

contributorRTWMatters team

Not knowing where to begin is a barrier that prevents some organisations from taking action on...

Case manager whistle blower says workers deserve better  

contributorAnonymous Claims Adviser

“I would hate for an injured worker to hear how they’re spoken about in the office,” a NSW...

Help drive better health for truckies

contributorDriving Health Team, Monash University

Help us improve the health & wellbeing of truck drivers with a new program from the Driving...

An evidence-informed approach to motivating change

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Motivating injured workers to make positive change may become easier if you match your approach...

A new focus on case management

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Dr Wyatt describes the current state of case management in Australia, and asks for your help in...

Interview with Dr Doron Samuell, psychiatrist and behavioural scientist

contributorDr Doron Samuell

There are deep, systemic problems with the way we manage mental health claims, according to Dr...

Will workers' comp scandals overshadow pervasive human costs?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Yes, workers' compensation schemes have been poorly managed. Real change will come when there is...

Working from home while homeschooling the kids

contributorDr Anamika Devi

It's a tough gig, but expert advice suggests that it is possible to maintain the wellbeing of...

Webinar recording: Implications for the Health Benefits of Good Work in the era of COVID-19

contributorKeith Govias

Good work has health benefits even during times of crisis. Tips for supporting remote workers,...

Legal disputes, workers' compensation and COVID

contributorDanny Khoshaba, Partner, Insurance, Mills Oakley, along with his Associate Sherilyn Dunkley

A Brave New World: a workers compensation perspective on resolving legal disputes via technology...

Do you know anyone who has lost work courtesy of COVID-19?

contributorRTWMatters team

The COVID-19 Work and Health Study is tracking the impact of the pandemic on those who lose work...

Coping with quarantine (and social distancing)

contributorGabrielle Lis

Quarantine is hard on people’s mental health but we can reduce the risks for those forced into...

Working through COVID-19

contributorRTWMatters team

Practical and authoritative material to help you navigate these unprecedented times.

Three ways RTW professionals can manage emotional labour

contributorGabrielle Lis

Burnt out? Dissatisfied? Struggling to manage your emotions 9 to 5? Emotional labour expert Dr...

Webinar recording: Managing shoulder injuries and rethinking our approach

contributorDr Angus Forbes

This webinar looks at common shoulder conditions and explains why current diagnostic...

Hungry to improve RTW?

contributorRTWMatters team

The researchers at the Insurance Work and Health Group at Monash University are offering a...

Video: How to get the most out of RTWMatters

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

An introduction to the resources available with tips on how to get the most out of your subscription

Six ways to beat the back-to-work blues by building resilience

contributorHolly Blake, University of Nottingham

Chartered health psychologist and Associate Professor Holly Blake shares practical tips to ease...

Supervisor training package launch: Early bird opportunity

contributorRTWMatters team

Managing return to work and injury - A Supervisor Training Package

Psychiatric cases and secondary depression - ELEARNING

contributorDr Peter Cotton and Dr Mary Wyatt

An online training module for RTW Coordinators who need tools to help them manage cases where...

The research and analysis behind our new training package for supervisors

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Dr Wyatt describes the six years of research, reflection and experimentation that have gone into...

(Home) working it!

contributorGabrielle Lis

Accentuate the positives and eliminate the negatives of remote work, with this strategic guide...

Ten benefits of working from home

contributorGabrielle Lis

Whether you're a full time remote worker, recovering from injury or illness, or practising...

Ten challenges of working and recovering at home

contributorGabrielle Lis

Whether it's because of a work injury or a pandemic, many of us have periods of working from...

What matters about RTWMatters?

contributorRTWMatters team

RTWMatters is Australia’s leading independent resource for return to work professionals:...

And now what?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

For ten years, national RTW rates have remained stagnant. Why? And what hope does Dr Wyatt see...

Don't let a bully jeopardise your return to work

contributorJenny Holt

Information for workers who face bullying when they return to work after injury or illness.

Good news: RTWMatters is free for RTW Coordinators in South Australia

contributorRTWMatters team

RTW Coordinators, are you missing out on help from a RTW ally? Or keeping a good thing to...

WorkSafe Victoria failing the most vulnerable: insurers profiting

contributorGabrielle Lis

We summarise the Victorian Ombudsman's investigation into WorkSafe's handling of complex claims,...

Better than ever: Enjoy the revamped RTWMatters website

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Our best content is now easier to navigate. Keep an eye out for new research and resources that...

Mental Health and Cancer

contributorA. Richey

The diagnosis of any serious disease can have an impact on mental health; for the person...

Historical Workplace Diseases: we've come a long way

contributorA. Richey

The history of work disease is as old as the concept of work itself. This article takes a look...