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9 October, 2025

Data reveals burnout crisis

AS Australia marks National Safe Work Month this October, new data from Beyond Blue highlighted demand among employees for meaningful change in workplace mental health practices.


Data reveals burnout crisis - feature photo

Australian employees are calling for more than just awareness when it comes to workplace mental health, with Beyond Blue data revealing a strong demand for real, proactive change that improves people’s day-to-day experiences at work.

A community poll, commissioned by Beyond Blue, surveyed a sample of 1,000 people nationally and asked Australians about their experiences of stress and burnout in the workplace.

The survey found that 88 per cent of respondents believed burnout was an important issue for workplaces today, while two in three people rejected the idea that burnout was a personal failing.

Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman AO said workers experiencing chronic stress and burnout are at greater risk of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

“Employees are voicing a clear need for greater consideration to be given to wellbeing in their working conditions,” she said.

“That means integrating wellbeing into how work is designed and experienced, from manageable workloads and adequate resourcing to leadership that genuinely supports them.

“Most businesses want to do the right thing, but need clearer pathways to get started, so there’s more work to be done.

“Mental health at work must be built into systems that help people to stay well. That’s why it’s so important to build wellbeing into the systems and culture of work, not treat it as an add-on or something reactive.”

Workers pointed to systemic factors such as inappropriate workload (49 per cent), lack of management support (32 per cent), and inflexible working conditions (21 per cent) as the top causes of burnout.

The poll also found that 44 per cent of workers felt lonely and 39 per cent felt excluded at work at least sometimes, and 18 per cent said no one at work “had their back.”

“Embedding flexibility and compassion into workplace culture, along with visible support from leaders who model psychologically safe behaviours, is key to supporting mental health,” Ms Harman said.

Of the respondents who had experienced burnout at work, half didn’t seek support for it.

People who did reach out for mental health support turned to GPs (43 per cent) and psychologists (36 per cent), while fewer people reached out to wellbeing staff within their own workplace (9 per cent) or online mental health supports (7 per cent).

“Mental health at work is much more than just having an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). It’s about creating a culture where wellbeing is a shared priority and is woven into how we lead,” she said.

The Productivity Commission estimates that the economic loss due to the effects of mental ill-health on participation, absenteeism and presenteeism is up to $39 billion.

For help call Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline 13 11 14.

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