16 November 2023

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) says it’s pleased the Federal Government has successfully passed legislation to introduce a National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry.

The RACP has been calling on the Federal Government to introduce a registry for years, and it was a key recommendation in the 2021 National Dust Diseases Taskforce Report.

Dr Warren Harrex, Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) President and RACP spokesperson says “The national occupational respiratory disease registry is an important step towards tackling the silicosis crisis in Australia.

“The registry will allow us to get a better insight into the scale of the disease across the country. It will also enable physicians and policy makers to identify trends as we try to eradicate new cases of this disease and the workplace environments that cause it.

“The total number of people with silicosis is currently unknown, so this registry will be critical.  

“Anecdotally, we know this is a disease that hundreds of people are suffering from, but we could really only be talking about the tip of the iceberg. 

“The registry is a great step. Now we need to see urgent action on the other recommendations from the National Dust Diseases Taskforce Report, including a national respiratory protection program delivered in partnership with states and territories.

“We also want to see a national regulatory framework and enforcement plan to which all states and territories are committed.” Dr Harrex said.