❓ Hon Robin Scott asks about studies on FIFO workers' health, particularly regarding suicide rates compared to other professions. The Minister confirms a relevant report exists and is publicly available.
AnsweredQoN 322Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL HEALTH —
FLY IN, FLY OUT WORKERS
322. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
(1) Is the minister's department presently
conducting any study of health issues involving fly in, fly out workers?
(2) Is the minister aware of any recent or current
study of suicides and/or suicidal tendencies among FIFO workers, especially studies comparing FIFO
workers with other workers including Australian Defence Force personnel;
and, if so, will the minister table any relevant report?
FLY IN, FLY OUT WORKERS
322. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
(1) Is the minister's department presently
conducting any study of health issues involving fly in, fly out workers?
(2) Is the minister aware of any recent or current
study of suicides and/or suicidal tendencies among FIFO workers, especially studies comparing FIFO
workers with other workers including Australian Defence Force personnel;
and, if so, will the minister table any relevant report?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The Western Australian
Department of Health system manager is not presently conducting any study into
the health issues of FIFO workers.
(2) Yes. On 5 December
2018, the Minister for Health; Mental Health announced the release of the
research report, ''Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the mental health
and wellbeing of FIFO workers''. The report was funded by the Mental
Health Commission and conducted in partnership with industry, unions, and more
than 3 000 FIFO workers and their families, with researchers from Curtin
University's—formerly the University of Western Australia's—Centre
for Transformative Work Design. The research found FIFO workers experience
higher levels of psychological distress, and higher levels of burnout than
non-FIFO workers and are likely to be at greater risk of suicide. The report is
publicly available—I will provide the member with a copy—and
can also be sourced on the Mental Health Commission website.
some notice of the question.
(1) The Western Australian
Department of Health system manager is not presently conducting any study into
the health issues of FIFO workers.
(2) Yes. On 5 December
2018, the Minister for Health; Mental Health announced the release of the
research report, ''Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the mental health
and wellbeing of FIFO workers''. The report was funded by the Mental
Health Commission and conducted in partnership with industry, unions, and more
than 3 000 FIFO workers and their families, with researchers from Curtin
University's—formerly the University of Western Australia's—Centre
for Transformative Work Design. The research found FIFO workers experience
higher levels of psychological distress, and higher levels of burnout than
non-FIFO workers and are likely to be at greater risk of suicide. The report is
publicly available—I will provide the member with a copy—and
can also be sourced on the Mental Health Commission website.
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