The True Cost of Workforce Challenges
Australian businesses lose billions annually to absenteeism, presenteeism, burnout, and turnover. Understanding these costs is the first step to transforming them into opportunities.
$17B
Annual absenteeism cost to Australian businesses
AIHW, 2024
$59B
Annual presenteeism cost lost productivity
Unmind research 2024, Intellect research 2024
81%
Workers facing burnout across Australia
GoodHabitz, 2023
10.8%
National turnover rate down from 21.4% in 2022
Mercer, 2024
Burnout Crisis
Burnout has reached epidemic levels in Australia, with younger workers hit hardest. The impact extends beyond individual wellbeing to productivity, engagement, and retention.
- Gen Z (18-25) 85%
- Millennials (26-41) 81%
- Gen X (42-57) 75%
- Baby Boomers (58+) 61%
Source: Robert Half, GoodHabitz, UiPath research (2023-2024)
Research Findings
- Robert Half: 81-85% of Australians experiencing burnout
- GoodHabitz (2023): 81% of workforce battling stress/burnout
- UiPath: 82% of knowledge workers feel burnt out
- Gartner: ~75% experiencing burnout to some extent
- Foremind: 61% of Australian workers reported burnout
Key Insight: Burnout is highest in Technology and Professional Services, while Government roles show lower rates due to job security buffers.
The Hidden Productivity Drain
Presenteeism costs 3× more than absenteeism, yet remains largely invisible to most organisations.
Absenteeism
When employees are away
- Avg. days absent/year: 8.4
- Cost per day: $340
- Average cost per employee per year: $4,025
DHS Absence Management Report, 2023
Presenteeism
When employees work while unwell
- Absenteeism to Presenteeism Ratio: 1× to 3×
- Annual national cost: $59 Billion
Unmind research 2024, Intellect research 2024
The Cost of Losing Key Talent
Replacing an employee costs 50-200% of their annual salary, with senior roles at the higher end.
Breakdown of Replacement Cost
- Recruitment & hiring: 20%
- Onboarding & training: 25%
- Lost productivity: 32%
- Knowledge loss: 15%
Replacement Cost by Role Level
- Entry Level: 33-50% of annual salary
- Mid-Level: 75-100% of annual salary
- Senior/Executive: 150-213% of annual salary
Source: ClearlyRated, Edwards HR (2025), Harrison HR
Cost Comparison by Industry
| Industry | Absenteeism | Presenteeism | Burnout | Departures | Unfilled | Total/FTE | Turnover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | $2,800 | $8,500 | $7,500 | $22,000 | $14,000 | $55,300 | 15% |
| Professional Services | $3,000 | $9,000 | $7,500 | $21,000 | $12,000 | $52,500 | 12% |
| Financial Services | $3,000 | $9,000 | $6,500 | $21,000 | $13,000 | $52,500 | 11% |
| Healthcare | $2,800 | $8,500 | $6,500 | $17,000 | $11,000 | $46,300 | 12% |
| Education | $3,000 | $9,000 | $6,500 | $14,000 | $9,000 | $42,500 | 10% |
| Manufacturing | $2,500 | $7,500 | $5,000 | $16,000 | $10,000 | $41,000 | 10% |
| Government | $2,500 | $7,500 | $4,000 | $9,000 | $7,000 | $31,000 | 8% |
| Retail & Transport | $2,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 | $11,000 | $6,000 | $28,000 | 20% |
| Source: ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, ABS turnover/vacancy rates, Medibank, Foremind, Allianz studies |
Average Earnings by Industry
| Industry | Average Earnings |
|---|---|
| Mining | $165,100 |
| Information Media & Telecom | $133,172 |
| Financial & Insurance Services | $120,848 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical | $121,056 |
| Public Administration | $109,356 |
| Education & Training | $109,096 |
| Healthcare & Social Assistance | $102,908 |
| Construction | $101,816 |
| Manufacturing | $93,028 |
| Retail Trade | $78,208 |
| Accommodation & Food | $75,920 |
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