As of February 2025, 90,400 South Australians aged 15-24 were employed outside of full-time education. These young workers, especially apprentices, are critical to the state’s workforce and economy but are particularly vulnerable due their limited understanding of workplace rights and safety. High-risk industries, such as construction, see a significant number of injuries among young workers, with data indicating an increasing trend in claims and severe injuries.

In 2023, there were 651 reported injuries among young workers, an increase of 140 from 2022. Large companies were responsible for 43 percent of young worker injuries, medium-sized companies for 35 percent, and small businesses for 22 percent.

Injuries to young workers in the construction industry are primarily caused by four mechanisms:

  • being hit by moving objects (27 percent), often caused by falling objects or manual tools, leading to lacerations, fractures, and other severe injuries
  • hitting objects with body parts (26 percent), primarily due to incidents involving hand tools or materials
  • body stressing (19 percent), resulting from lifting or handling heavy objects
  • falls, trips, and slips (18 percent), often from heights or uneven surfaces, which is common in construction trades.

The top three occupations with the highest injury rates to young workers are:

  • carpenters (24 percent), face significant injury risks from hitting moving objects, falls, and being struck by falling materials
  • electricians (13 percent) frequently encounter electrical hazards, falls, and injuries from tools
  • plumbers (11 percent) are at high risk of being struck by objects and muscular stress from lifting.

Between 2021 and 2023, there were 132 notifiable serious injuries involving young workers reported to SafeWork SA. The leading injury causes were falls from heights, nail gun injuries, and power tool injuries. Young workers in the construction industry were also involved in 53 dangerous incidents reported to SafeWork SA such as electric shocks during the period.

The young workers aspect of the broader construction campaign in 2025/26 will include developing a strategy for group training organisations (GTOs) and labour hire businesses. Desktop audits and worksite visits will also be conducted to ensure compliance with dual duty obligations.

SafeWork SA is also collaborating with the South Australian Skills Commission to help identify trends and implement risk mitigation strategies.

To support this initiative, SafeWork SA’s education team will sit on the GTO working group.

Expected Outcomes:

  • reduced injury rates among young workers.
  • better training and supervision for apprentices.
  • enhanced collaboration with the skills commission.