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Research shows health and community services report highest number of mental health claims.
New research shows nurses are among Australia’s most stressed workers, alongside police and paramedics.
Data on workers compensation, compiled by Safe Work Australia, shows about 7000 claims are made each year for mental stress.
People working in the health and community services sector reported the highest number of claims, closely followed by education workers.
There was also a comparatively high level of claims from male train and bus drivers.
Safe Work Australia chair Tom Phillips said it's concerning to find that there are many Australian workers suffering from mental stress, which can have a very significant impact on people's ability to function at work and at home.
He said each mental stress claim costs on average $15,500 per person - three times more than other claims.
The average time off work for mental stress is 11 weeks.
Australia's annual Stress Down Day takes place on July 23.
AAP
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