Record filings in 2025-26

The Commission registered more than 21,400 dispute applications in the 2025–26 financial year, its highest number since establishment and a 24% increase compared to the previous financial year.

Record filings in 2025-26

24 Jul 2026

The Commission registered more than 21,400 dispute applications in the 2025–26 financial year, its highest number since establishment and a 24% increase compared to the previous financial year.

The biggest increase was in the Workers Compensation Division, with almost 14,000 registrations representing a 27% increase. More than 7,500 applications in the Motor Accidents Division represented a 19% increase compared to the previous year.

The Commission responded strongly, with finalisations 7% higher in 2025–26 than the previous year, however, these were unable to keep pace with the high volume of registrations. This has resulted in increased matters on hand and a reduction in clearance rates.

Lifecycles across both divisions fluctuated only slightly. However, some increases should still be expected.

Workers compensation

The Commission recorded its highest number of workers compensation disputes on record in 2025–26, with close to 14,000 registrations representing a 27% increase compared to last year. Form 2 and 2D applications made up approximately 70% of these registrations.

Over 12,000 matters were finalised, representing a 7% increase compared to the previous year, however, they could not keep pace with the surge in filings. That has meant workers compensation matters on hand increased to almost 4,000, a 68% increase, and the clearance rate dropped to 88%.

While tribunal users may have experienced some delays in times to dispute resolution events, average lifecycles for workers compensation matters have increased only slightly. Due to the increasing workload, the Commission does anticipate tribunal users may see a further increase in the coming months.

Motor accidents

There were over 7,500 registrations in the Motor Accidents Division, a 19% increase, which was primarily driven by an increase in medical disputes.

Almost 7,000 matters were finalised, which was a 3% decrease from the previous year. This saw matters on hand increase to over 4,400, a 20% increase, and a drop in the clearance rate to 90%.

Overall lifecycles for motor accidents medical disputes decreased in 2025–26, following their targeted reduction over the past few years. With the increase in filings and work on hand this year, tribunal users may start to experience some increase in lifecycles and time to dispute resolution events in the coming months, including timeframes to register new applications, and the time to member preliminary conferences and medical assessments.

Responding to the increase

The Commission continues to undertake significant work to meet the increased demand. Recruitment for new sessional members with a focus on flexible appointments across divisions is underway and the targeted recruitment of medical assessors in high utility specialties continues. The Registry also continues to reapportion roles and resources to ensure disputes can be registered and allocated as efficiently as possible.

The successful Psychiatric Medical Review Panel Pilot Project which commenced in late 2025 to target the 100 oldest psychiatric disputes has continued for a second phase, with an additional 100 psychiatric disputes, leading to a reduction in overall Medical Review Panel matters on hand and matters awaiting allocation to a panel.

Pre-assessment check-ins for claimants attending medical assessments also continues, as well as engagement with and education of tribunal users, through the sharing of fact sheets and other information about Commission processes. The Commission also continues to engage closely with practitioners to ensure that matters are ready for lodgment prior to an application being submitted, and that claimants are adequately prepared ahead of Commission events.

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