Tradies National Health Month 2026

Why Your Body Deserves the Same Attention as the Job

Nine in ten tradies experienced a work-related injury in the past year, and one in two say they live with severe pain. Yet only 10% regularly see a physio to help prevent it.

August is Tradies National Health Month, an initiative of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), and it's a timely reminder that “she'll be right” isn't a treatment plan.

Every day, tradies climb ladders, kneel on concrete, swing hammers, carry sheets of gyprock, and crawl through roof cavities in serious heat. It's physically demanding work, and the body keeps the score. According to the APA's most recent tradie survey, 68% of tradies say they most commonly experience pain or discomfort in their back, neck or shoulders, and more than half say they lack confidence in their ability to keep working in their trade until retirement age — citing ongoing physical strain as the main reason.

Here's the genuinely good news: nearly two-thirds of tradies who've seen a physiotherapist report significant pain reduction, or complete resolution of their symptoms. Physiotherapy has a real, evidence-based role to play, both in treating injuries and in keeping tradies working for longer.

The Most Common Musculoskeletal Injuries in Tradies

Research into construction and trade workers consistently points to the same problem areas: the lower back, knees, shoulders and wrists. A major systematic review of the construction industry found the annual prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was 51% for the lower back, 37% for the knee, 32% for the shoulder, and 30% for the wrist.

Common presentations we see include:

• Low back pain and disc-related injuries, from repeated lifting, bending and awkward postures
• Knee injuries, including meniscal tears and patellofemoral pain, particularly in trades involving kneeling, squatting or ladder work like tiling, flooring and plumbing
• Shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tendinopathy and impingement, common in overhead trades like electrical, painting and plastering
• Elbow and wrist conditions, including tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome, from repetitive gripping, vibrating power tools and manual handling
• Neck pain and headaches, often linked to prolonged awkward postures, or cervicogenic headaches and whiplash-type injuries from vehicle-related incidents while travelling between job sites
• Acute fractures and soft tissue injuries, from falls, being struck by objects, or manual handling incidents

Tradies' Health Challenges

Beyond the physical toll, tradies face a few specific challenges that make injury more likely, and recovery harder. Physically demanding, repetitive work is compounded by long hours, inconsistent access to proper equipment across different job sites, and a strong cultural pressure to push through pain rather than take time off.

Around one in five tradies also report mental health issues linked to workplace pressures, and pain that isn't managed well can compound that further. Add in the fact that most tradies are paid for the work they complete, not the hours they're unwell, and it's easy to see why so many people put off getting something checked.