New research on tradie health finds alarming rates of chronic pain, raises questions about workforce stability

New research from the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has found that chronic work-related pain and discomfort remain widespread among Australia’s tradies, resulting in more than half of those surveyed lacking confidence in their ability to continue working in their trade until retirement age. 

As Tradies National Health Month begins, the APA is urging tradies in discomfort to seek early treatment from their local physiotherapist, and Federal and State governments to pursue greater investment in preventative health care to ensure the well-being of this critical workforce. 

Jarryd Croxford, a Queensland based physiotherapist working in occupational health settings with tradies, said that this concerning new data should spur tradies, their family and friends, employers and policymakers into action as Australia continues to face critical trade shortages and growing infrastructure demands.

‘Our data shows that every week, tradies across Australia struggle with chronic, work-derived pain, leaving many of them concerned about their ability to stay in the workforce,’ said Mr Croxford.  

The APA’s 2026 national quantitative survey found that nearly three quarters (74%) of tradies say they experience frequent (weekly or greater) physical pain or discomfort as a result of their work.

Alarmingly, the survey also found that more than half (52%) of tradies, including nearly 4 in 10 members of Gen Z and more than a third of millennials, say they lack confidence in their ability to continue working in their trade until retirement age, with ongoing physical strain, risk of injury and general wear and tear the most cited concerns.

‘Tradies are the backbone of Australia, and a large-scale departure of tradespeople from their industries would likely mean a decline in capacity to build new housing and infrastructure and wreak havoc on numerous other critical sectors of the Australian economy.’  

“At both an individual and societal level, we can and must do more to prevent this from happening,’ said Mr Croxford.

‘Occupational health and pain physiotherapists are uniquely positioned to help with this. Our job is to provide treatment and management plans which reduce pain, treat existing injuries and reduce the risk of new ones.’ 

‘Yet, according to our research, only 10% of tradies regularly see a physio to help prevent work-related pain or injury,’ said Mr. Croxford.  

‘Tradies National Health Month provides an opportunity to change this, and we hope that more of Australia’s tradies use this month to invest in their long-term health by booking an appointment with their local physio and receive the treatment they need to remedy chronic aches and pains or to prevent workplace injury from happening in the first place.’

‘We encourage tradies, their employers, family members and friends to visit choose.physio to find a physiotherapist who can help,’ said Mr Croxford.

‘At the state and federal level, we hope that policymakers take heed of our concerning findings and consider increasing investment into preventative health programmes which ensure the well-being of our vital tradie workforce.’

Tradies National Health Month is a campaign established by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) to highlight the unique position of physiotherapists in preventing and treating musculoskeletal issues that plague tradies throughout their careers.

To learn more visit https://australian.physio/campaigns/tradies-national-health-month

The full topline insights from the APA’s 2026 research for Tradies National Health Month can be found on the APA’s website. 

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