Australian workers feel fairly paid even as financial security tumbles

• 40% of Australian workers say they don’t earn enough to meet their financial needs, despite 72% believing they’re paid fairly
• Economic security has fallen nine percentage points in six months, from 37% to 28%
• Burnout has risen from 39% to 44%, while 41% have gone to work unwell

11 August 2026 – As the RBA holds interest rates steady, new research suggests financial pressure remains a reality for many Australian workers, with the effects extending into the workplace. 

The latest ELMO Employee Sentiment Index, based on a survey of more than 1,000 Australian employees, found nearly three-quarters (72%) believe they are paid fairly for the work they do. Yet despite this, two in five (40%) say they still don’t earn enough to meet their financial needs, while confidence in their own economic security has fallen sharply over the past six months.

“The broader cost of living crisis is changing what financial security looks like for Australian workers. Pay matters, but so does certainty. With organisational stability now second only to remuneration when people choose an employer, there’s a clear message for businesses: employees are looking for confidence in what comes next,” said Joseph Lyons, ELMO Software President.  

Financial pressure is coinciding with growing signs of strain at work. Burnout has risen from 39% to 44% over the past six months, while 41% of employees say they have gone to work while feeling unwell, up from 36%. 

Yet Australians appear less worried about losing their jobs. Concern about redundancy has fallen from 39% to 34%, even as confidence in personal economic security has dropped sharply from 37% to 28%. 

Despite ongoing debate about AI’s impact on jobs, most Australian employees also remain optimistic about the technology. More than two-thirds (68%) believe their skills are specialised and unlikely to be replaced by AI or automation, while 66% believe the technology will help them in their role. 29% believe their role is at risk of replacement within the next five years.

“Employers can’t influence inflation or interest rates, but they can influence how supported employees feel while living through economic uncertainty,” said Dr Amantha Imber, organisational psychologist, AI consultant and ELMO partner.

“Financial pressure rarely stays at home. It influences energy, concentration, wellbeing and ultimately performance at work. Organisations that acknowledge that reality and invest in practical support are more likely to build resilient, engaged workforces.”

While financial pressure has intensified, Australians remain relatively positive about their employers. Three in four employees (75%) say they feel recognised for their contributions at work, reinforcing the issue is less about workplace fairness than broader affordability.

-ENDS-

About ELMO Software 

Founded in 2002, the ELMO Group comprises ELMO Software, Breathe HR and Rotageek. ELMO Group is a multinational provider of people management solutions, trusted by over 20,000 organisations across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

ELMO is The Complete AI Workforce Platform™. It unifies HR and Payroll on one connected data foundation and layers native AI to turn workforce data into insight and action. ELMO’s mission is to get Australia and New Zealand’s workforce ready for what’s next and supports the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to learning, performance, payroll and more.

Backed by ISO-certified security, Australian-based data hosting and local experts who guide change throughout the journey, ELMO helps mid-sized organisations build the foundation for AI-ready workforces of tomorrow.

For more information, visit www.elmosoftware.com.au or follow ELMO Software on LinkedIn.

About the ELMO Employee Sentiment Index

The ELMO Employee Sentiment Index offers a half-yearly pulse check on the actions, attitudes and behaviours of Australian employees. It tracks changes in perceptions around job security, wellbeing and the economy, as well as topical issues impacting Australian employees.

The research was commissioned by ELMO Software and conducted by YouGov. 1,068 Australian employees were surveyed online, aged 18-64 (excluding self-employed employees) between 1 and 7 July 2026. Respondents were asked to reflect on the six-month period between January 2026 and June 2026.

Respondents were members of a permission-based panel, geographically dispersed throughout Australia including both capital city and non-capital city regions. After surveying, the data was weighted to the latest population estimates sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.