Burnout sucks, and sadly, it’s something that will at some point affect the majority of Australians. While it is hard to study and pin down concrete numbers, the figures show that somewhere around 60% of Australians will experience varying levels of burnout. That’s a huge number and worryingly, it’s well above the global average of 48% .   

With burnout so pervasive, the tools we have to prevent and manage it are to understand it, spot it and deploy tactics that can reduce it.   

For immediate support, you can access free counselling services through:  

• Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au   

• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au  

While the particular pressures will be personal to every individual, the cause of burnout is chronic, excessive stress. While life stressors can be a cause and certainly play a compounding role, most often (and in all of the cases of the above statistics), burnout happens at work. Approximately 40% of employee resignations cite burnout as the reason.   

Why is that? When it comes to work-life balance, Australia ranks poorly. Although we rank 7th on the OECD Better Life Index , we are 32nd out of 41 countries when it comes to work-life balance. Almost 13% of Australian full-time workers are working very long hours. In Switzerland, that rate is just 0.4%.   

If we look at the Globe Project , it suggests that our culture plays a great part. Australia falls into a category called the Anglo cluster, which scores highly on a metric called Performance Orientation. We reward high performance and value competition. Conversely, we score poorly on In-Group Collectivism, making us more individualistic.   

This combination makes us particularly prone to burnout. Culturally, it is normal to place great importance on performance and to feel like it is our responsibility alone.   

Add to that the aspiration for the ‘Great Australian Dream.’ Despite high rates of housing unaffordability—Sydney has the second most unaffordable housing in the world, and Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne rank in the top 10—home ownership is the ultimate goal for most Australians.   

Australians are under a lot of pressure to perform at work, and while norms around mental health awareness are improving, individualism can hinder many from seeking support.   

Managing burnout requires some action. The lifestyle that leads us there is not going to support its management or prevention. Specialist mental health organisations, like Beyond Blue , Mental Health First Aid , and Help Guide , recommend a combination of proactive self-care steps, setting clear boundaries, seeking support, and finding ways to recharge, physically and emotionally.  

• Prioritise personal wellbeing: Make self-care a non-negotiable part of daily life. Things like keeping regular meal times, hydrating, exercising and resting.  

• Take breaks and time off: Schedule breaks during your workday and take regular leave to prevent exhaustion from building up.  

• Set boundaries between work and personal life: Leave work at work, stay off emails after hours, and make time for activities outside of work. Learn how to say no and communicate your boundaries to colleagues.  

• Develop a “stop doing” list : Keep a list of habits or obligations to let go of, including streamlining workload and preserving energy for what truly matters at work and at home.  

• Practise mindfulness: Incorporate techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or gratitude journaling to stay grounded and become more aware of your stressors and emotions.  

• Engage in enjoyable and meaningful activities: Recharge your battery by reconnecting with hobbies, interests, or creative outlets beyond your professional responsibilities.  

• Seek social and professional support: Reach out to friends and family, seek professional help from therapists, or join support groups to share and gain coping techniques.   

• Maintain regular sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of restful sleep per night. Fatigue is a major contributor to burnout.   

• Eat nutritious food and stay hydrated: Healthy nutrition and hydration are known to support energy levels and mood stability.  

• Keep moving: Physical activity, whether it’s casual walking, yoga, stretching, or going to the gym, helps reduce stress and clear the mind.  

Small changes can make a big difference.   

What they offer:   

• Information on workplace burnout, stress management, coping strategies.   

• Free counselling via phone/chat (24/7).  

• “NewAccess” mental health coaching program (focused on everyday issues)  

How to access:  

• Call 1300 22 4636  

• Chat online  

• See their resource library .  

What they offer:   

• Free resources  

• Online self-assessment  

• Structured evidence-based programs (some with therapist support) for mental health issues including stress, depression, anxiety. ( Mental Health Online )  

How to access:  

• Via their website .  

What they offer:   

• Self-help modules  

• Workbooks  

• Worksheets addressing stress, perfectionism, distress tolerance, etc.   

How to access:  

• Their “ Looking After Yourself ” section.   

What they offer:  

• Curated lists of mental health resources  

• Advice  

• General information about improving mental wellbeing. ( Healthdirect )  

How to access:  

• Via their “ Mental health resources ” portal.  

What they offer:  

• Guidance on health & wellbeing support in workplace settings, including what options employees may have.   

How to access:  

• Their “ Health and wellbeing support ” section.   

What they offer:   

• Crisis support line (24/7) for emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, overwhelming stress.  

How to access:  

• Call 13 11 14 any time.  

If it’s time for a change, contact the team at Launch Recruitment. We care deeply about the wellbeing of those we work with and take the time to understand your needs and role responsibilities and expectations to find the right fit.