EQL partners with Sydney Catholic Schools to deliver digital-first musculoskeletal care to 12,000+ teachers

EQL has partnered with Sydney Catholic Schools to deliver its digital musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) platform, Phio, to more than 12,000 teachers across 147 schools. The rollout marks a major step forward in supporting teacher health and wellbeing through early, digital-first access to tailored care and injury prevention.

Teachers are at high risk of developing MSDs due to long hours on their feet, classroom ergonomics, and manual active classrooms. Phio enables early identification and treatment of these issues, helping staff stay healthy and at work

Almost one in three Australians live with an MSD – 7.3 million people – costing the health system A$9.2 billion annually^,. Among teachers, recent studies show MSD prevalence as high as two-in-three staff, underlining the urgent need for early intervention and prevention.

Phio is already helping teachers access care quickly and confidently, with early feedback highlighting its ease of use and positive impact on staff wellbeing.

“Supporting those who support our children is vital,” said Sarah O’Connor, Head of Business Development at EQL, Australia. “The response from teachers has been incredibly positive so far. By providing quick, easy access to expert care, Sydney Catholic Schools is setting a new standard for staff wellbeing and sustainable education.”

The rollout follows EQL’s six-month occupational health pilot with a global labour hire firm, in which Phio delivered a 14:1 return on investment and saved more than $339,000 in potential Workers Compensation claim costs. Full results of that pilot will be announced soon.

EQL continues to expand its presence in Australia, working with partners nationwide to provide scalable, digital-first MSD care that delivers measurable impact for employers and their teams.

Craig Seabury, Health and Wellness Advisor at Sydney Catholic Schools, said: “Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and Phio reflects our commitment to making support more accessible and empowering for all staff. Early feedback from teachers has been very positive, particularly around how easy it is to access support and address issues early, before they escalate.” 

Jason Ward, CEO at EQL, said: “Our partnership with Sydney Catholic Schools demonstrates how digital tools can deliver real, measurable value in employee health. It’s another milestone in EQL’s growing footprint across Australia, where we’re partnering with forward-thinking organisations that share our vision for proactive, digital-first staff wellbeing. As we continue to expand, our focus remains on delivering tangible impact – reducing injury risk, improving recovery, and supporting healthier, more resilient workforces.”

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