Why Millions of Australians Are Ready to Quit Their Jobs in 2026

The Burnout Crisis in Australian Workplaces

Millions of Australians are considering leaving their jobs in the coming year as workplace burnout continues to wreak havoc across the country. New research from Allianz Australia reveals alarming statistics about employee dissatisfaction and mental distress.

Research Findings on Workplace Habits

Almost 80% of employees and 66% of managers don't believe their organization enforces good workplace habits and boundaries. Additionally, 78% of managers reported system barriers exacerbating the issue, including:

• Lack of time and resources
• Absence of suitable technology
• Conflict with other workplace priorities

Mental Distress and Workload Pressures

59% of employees reported experiencing work-related mental distress, often triggered by:

• Workload pressure
• Meeting overload
• Unrealistic expectations

Australian employees spend an average of 3.31 hours per week on unnecessary jobs or meetings, and 32% feel unable to take proper breaks.

Technology and External Pressures

Despite new right-to-disconnect laws, 19% of employees said technology makes it difficult to switch off from work. Furthermore, 25% reported that cost-of-living worries affect their workplace performance.

The Quitting Trend

2.73 million Australians are considering quitting their jobs in the next 12 months. Allianz's claims data shows a 28.4% increase in mental distress compensation claims between 2021 and 2025, with the average time off per claim rising 10% to 81 days.

Work-Life Balance Challenges

The research revealed that most employees struggle to schedule personal time and face pressures outside work, including:

• Household duties
• Caregiving responsibilities
• Unsupported parenting duties like school drop-offs

Only a small minority of managers believe their workplace is well set-up to accommodate working parents and carers.

Expert Recommendations

Allianz Australia executive Mark Pittman emphasized that mental stress and work pressure account for 34% of psychological claims, highlighting the importance of prevention.

Brianna Cattanach, Allianz's national manager for mental health strategy, called for businesses to take a holistic view of employee wellbeing through:

• Manageable workloads
• Natural ebb and flow of work demands
• Adequate recovery time during work hours
• Ground rules for disconnecting after-hours

Helen Lawson Williams from anti-burnout program TANK advised employees to recognize early warning signs like fatigue, overwhelm, irritability, or decreased work interest, and to speak up before things escalate.