Job security trumps burnout as Aussies seek stability, not change
Australian employees are prioritising job security despite increasing reports of burnout and heavier workplace responsibilities, according to new research from ELMO Software's Employee Sentiment Index for the third quarter of 2025.
The findings indicate a notable decline in workers considering a career change, with only 18% contemplating a move compared to 23% in the previous quarter. This trend is occurring amid a period where 40% of employees report feeling burnt out and 29% have taken on more responsibilities at work.
Job hugging and training trends
This behaviour, described as "job hugging", appears to indicate that employees prefer stability over the uncertainty of seeking new employment. However, the research raises concerns about potential skills stagnation. One in five workers (21%), representing approximately 2.24 million Australians, reported they have not received any kind of training in the past year.
ELMO Software Chief Executive Officer Joseph Lyons commented on the current situation, stating:
"After a period of uncertainty, employees are choosing security. But stability without growth can quickly turn into stagnation. To build future-ready organisations, we need to help people learn, adapt and grow."
The report notes that while 79% of employees have received some form of training in the last 12 months, for many the content is short-term in nature or driven by compliance requirements. The most common forms are general awareness sessions (40%) or role-specific technical training (38%).
Trust in training relevance is relatively high, with 76% of employees confident that their training and support are relevant for their future careers. However, less than 29% have taken steps towards future-focused learning or career progression, which the report suggests may point to a reluctance to seize new opportunities even when organisational support is present. The report emphasises the need for clearer career pathways and greater psychological safety to encourage career movement.
The division in how training is provided is evident: 43% say their training was entirely employer-provided, while 16% initiated or funded it themselves. This self-driven approach rises sharply for digital or technology training, with 42% of those receiving it having taken the initiative themselves, reflecting the pace at which technology-related skills are evolving and the corresponding gap in employer support.
Retention is closely connected to professional development opportunities. The research found that 61% of employees would consider leaving their employer if opportunities for career advancement or skills development ceased, including 21% who state they "definitely would."
AI confidence and capability divide
Artificial intelligence and automation also feature prominently in employees' outlook about their roles. Around three in ten (30%) believe their position could be replaced by automation or AI within five years.
Despite this, 84% believe their existing skills are in line with industry standards, though only 58% feel prepared for the impact of AI and technological advances. Significantly, only 20% feel adequately supported by their employer with AI-related training.
Generational disparities are apparent, with 68% of Generation Z and 74% of Generation Y respondents reporting a lack of sufficient support for AI-focused training, underlining the challenge organisations face in equipping younger cohorts for evolving workplace demands.
More than four in ten (44%) employees indicated that Australian employers are not doing enough to reskill or upskill the national workforce in preparation for future demands. Lyons described the challenge as pressing for both business leaders and the broader economy.
"Employees recognise AI will transform their roles, but many don't feel equipped to keep up. Bridging that gap is essential for Australia's productivity, competitiveness and confidence," Lyons said.
He further commented:
"AI is changing how we work, but it doesn't change the value of people. Technology can't replace creativity, critical thinking or compassion, but it can amplify them. The future of work will depend on keeping the human in the loop: designing workplaces where people and technology learn from each other."
Sentiment trends upwards
Despite concerns about skills stagnation and technological readiness, the report saw an overall lift in employee sentiment, including higher job and economic confidence, as well as improving perceptions around fairness and recognition since early 2025.
The ELMO Employee Sentiment Index surveyed 1,034 Australian employees aged 18 to 64, excluding self-employed workers, during October 2025, covering their experiences from July to September.
