"Work-related fatalities, injuries and illnesses impose significant costs on individuals, their families, businesses, the community and the economy as a whole. In 2001-02, the various workers' compensation schemes compensated the families of some 300 fatalities as a result of workplace injury and disease. Compensated injuries and diseases resulting in one week or more off work amounted to 10.2 cases per million hours worked. The actual number of work-related injuries and illnesses would be considerably higher. A recent survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that many individuals who experienced a workrelated injury or illness did not apply for workers' compensation. In most cases this was because the injury was considered to be minor, but other reasons included: a lack of awareness of eligibility or the availability of benefits; the negative impact on employment; the effort of making a claim; or the employer agreeing to pay the cost outside a workers' compensation scheme. ..."

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