Research carried out by Remote, comparing the work-life balance index of different countries, showed that both New Zealand and Australia are in the top 10. This could make them both attractive options for anyone looking to start a new life in a different country.
The study was based on a series of different workplace criteria, including statutory annual leave, maternity leave, and the average hours worked by employees.
However, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) research revealed that Australia ranks at 32nd out of 41 countries surveyed in terms of the percentage of employees who work long hours abovethe OECD average.
Their research also confirmed that Australia is 34th out of 41 when it comes to time devoted to leisure and personal care. So, although Australia can offer great quality of life, it’s still down to you to ensure you maintain a good work-life balance.
Read about why a good work-life balance can be crucial to your health and wellbeing, and how new legislation can help support a better work-life balance for employees and what it means for you.
Work-life balance is a key part of your overall wellbeing
If you were to make a list of all the factors that contributed to your health and happiness, it’s likely that a favourable ratio between the hours you spend working and the time you have at home would be high on it.
A good balance will allow you to effectively manage your work responsibilities, alongside family commitments and the time you can mentally switch-off from work when you’re at home.
Other benefits of a good work-life balance can include:
- Better mental health through reducing work-related stress and having time away from work.
- Having time to refresh outside of work, which can put you in a better frame of mind when you are working.
- Greater personal fulfilment as you can free up more time to spend with your family and doing activities you enjoy.
- Better physical health through reducing stress-related symptoms such as interrupted sleep and a poor diet.
A combination of these benefits could result in you enjoying a more fulfilling lifestyle.
Since August 2024, Australian employees have had the right to disconnect
Driven by digital technology, boundaries between work and personal life have increasingly blurred.
Technological advancement and the Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in the number of people working from home, either full-time or for at least part of the working week. Indeed, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 36% of Australians now work predominantly at home.
You may find that having more flexibility around when you are “at work” is a double-edged sword, as your employers may assume you are always available, even after you have shut your laptop for the evening.
As a reaction to this, in August 2024, the Australian government introduced a new policy giving employees the right to switch off from work outside their normal working hours.
Legally, you don’t have to deal with work-related queries outside your contracted hours. This policy can clearly help you maintain a healthier work-life balance, creating a clear demarcation between work and leisure.
Work-life balance can help employers as well as employees
As well as benefiting the employee, a positive work-life balance can also benefit the business too.
For example, a report from Boston Consulting Group confirms that if you enjoy your work and prioritise the balance between that and your home life, you are 49% less likely to consider a new job than employees who don’t. This creates valuable continuity for employers, allowing them to retain productive employees, as well as reducing recruitment costs.
Several studies have shown that employees are attracted more by a positive work-life balance than a higher salary. For example a CFOtech survey revealed that 54% of people changing jobs cited the pursuit of better work-life balance and wellbeing as their primary motivation rather than higher pay.
This means that employers who are prepared to focus on the wellbeing of staff will reap the rewards of a motivated workforce.
Australians tend to be proactive when it comes to seeking a positive work-life balance
Australia has always placed a strong emphasis on lifestyle and leisure time. The excellent weather conditions mean that many Australians value the ability to enjoy outdoor activities alongside their careers.
Often this is made possible by employers recognising the importance of flexible work arrangements and generous holiday entitlement.
The knock-on effect of this is high levels of employee satisfaction and wellbeing, employees seeing a positive work-life balance as a key factor when considering employment opportunities in the country.
Indeed, immigration specialists, Aives, point out that the UN Global Happiness Index suggests work-life balance in Australia is the main factor that contributes to its residents’ happiness.
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Please note
This article is for information only, it does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. Please do not solely rely on anything you have read in this article and ensure that you conduct your own research to ensure any actions you may take are suitable for your circumstances. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC and ATO legislation, which is subject to change.
