Counting the Costs of Silicosis in Victoria, Australia, 2019-2024, With Projections to 2031

Silicosis has re-emerged in middle- and high-income countries globally due to high silica exposures from manufacturing and fabrication of artificial stone countertops. No studies have reported the costs of workers' compensation claims for silicosis; we therefore examined cost trends in Victoria, Australia, and projected claim costs to 2031.

Data from the WorkSafe Victoria Compensation Research Database were used to identify all silicosis compensation claims among males from 2019 to 2024, and claim rates were estimated per year and age group. Using Poisson regression model estimates, claim cost projections were calculated for 2025-2031, separately for statutory (no-fault) and common law (fault-based) payments.

From 2019 to 2024, there were 663 silicosis compensation claims made by 356 males aged 15-74 years in Victoria. Cumulative costs totaled AU $111.78 million. Annual cost projections suggest an increase over time, with a total of AU $29.88 million per year by 2031. Most claims remained active for over a year, particularly those by workers aged 25-54 years. Within 4-year follow-up, common law (fault-based) payments accounted for approximately 30% of total costs but dominated younger workers' claims. Projected 2031 costs were highest for claims by workers aged 35-44 years.

This study presents the first comprehensive estimate of projected workers' compensation costs for silicosis, highlighting a sustained financial burden driven by ongoing claims among younger workers. As artificial stone continues to be used internationally, these findings underscore the need for regulatory action to prevent a foreseeable health and economic burden.