Australian workers report highest stress in Asia-Pacific region

Australian workers report the highest stress levels in the Asia-Pacific region, with a significant proportion feeling overloaded at work, according to research by ADP.

Findings from ADP's People at Work 2025 Report Series indicate that more than half (55%) of Australian employees are experiencing elevated stress levels, with nearly one in four (23%) expressing that they feel overwhelmed by their workload.

The data highlights that Australian employees report higher workplace pressure than their peers in other countries within the region. Comparatively, 23% of Australians feel overloaded, while the figures for Japan, Singapore, India, and China stand at 19%, 15%, 11% and 10% respectively.

In addition to the workload concerns, workplace culture issues are emerging, with 31% of Australian workers saying they feel judged by colleagues for using flexible working options.

The research also reveals increasing managerial scrutiny, with 33% of Australian employees stating that they are being actively monitored by their managers. Almost one in three (32%) Australian workers rate their stress as high or moderate in their current roles.

Kylie Baullo, General Manager for Australia, New Zealand, and Japan at ADP, cautioned that the accumulation of stress and scrutiny may prompt many employees to leave their jobs suddenly. "Stress and scrutiny are creating a perfect storm. Overburdened employees are less productive, and without intervention, businesses risk facing a wave of 'revenge quitting'—where frustration prompts abrupt resignations.

"Employers must act now — shifting from temporary fixes to proactive strategies: rebalancing workloads, normalising conversations about mental health, and measuring success by outcomes rather than hours logged. Equipping employees with the right tools, such as automation, can help reduce administrative tasks and lighten their workload."

The research suggests that Australian employers should focus on reducing administrative burdens, fostering a supportive workplace culture, and addressing mental health concerns to help mitigate the risk of burnout among their staff.

Men in the survey were also found to be more likely  than women to strongly agree that they have the skills needed to advance. But when it comes to feelings of  employer investment, the gender gap shrinks or disappears altogether  outside of North America

The global People at Work 2025 Report series surveyed more than 38,000 working adults in 34 markets across six continents, in a bid to learn how technology, demographics, and changing norms are transforming the world of work.

The report authors sampled more than 1,000 working adults in each market, stratified by gender and age  to achieve a census proportion of each characteristic.