Lead indicators — what Australia’s measurement frameworks tell us
Australia’s RTW measurement frameworks clearly identify the lead indicators that shape recovery, but most remain difficult to measure in practice — leaving schemes tracking insurer processes while the most predictive workplace factors largely sit outside the data.
The second article of this series asked a deceptively simple question: Who is measuring lead indicators in workers’ compensation? The answer turns out to be nuanced. Australia has some genuinely thoughtful measurement frameworks that are built on solid evidence and developed with care. Some elements are being used. But there remains a significant gap between what the frameworks identify as important and what gets measured in practice...
Published 31 March, 2026 | Updated 31 March, 2026