A new study by professional services firm Aon plc has revealed that 67% of Australian employees are actively seeking or planning to change jobs within the next 12 months.
The 2025 Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study, which surveyed more than 500 employees in Australia and 9,000 globally across 23 geographies, found that only 51% of Australian respondents believe their compensation is fair compared to similar roles in their industry. Furthermore, 22% of employees reported feeling undervalued by their current employer.
The study found that employees considering a job move prioritise competitive pay and meaningful benefits (48%), followed by flexible working arrangements (34%). While in-office work still accounts for 47% of employment settings in Australia, flexible and hybrid work arrangements remain significant, with 45% of employees engaged in such models.
“A staggering two-thirds of employees revealed that they are in the process of leaving their jobs or plan to in the next 12 months, alongside some dissatisfaction with their current remuneration,” said Damien Kelly, client director of health and benefits for Aon. “The findings highlight the need for employers to not only focus on competitive compensation but also address other key factors that influence employee retention and satisfaction.”
Kelly also noted that flexibility continues to be a valued offering for employees, and efforts to bring workers back to the office full-time need to be managed alongside considerations such as pay and benefits.
The study identified the top five benefits most valued by Australian employees:
Despite the growing emphasis on future-proofing the workforce, 29% of Australian employees reported having little to no confidence that their employer is investing in their development and training. Additionally, interest in upskilling for artificial intelligence (AI) remains low, with only 19% of employees motivated to develop AI-related skills to stay relevant in the workforce.
“The results of the inaugural Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study reveal that employee expectations are shifting, and the war for talent is far from over,” Kelly said. “Employers may now feel more pressure than ever to deliver a superior experience that retains strong talent.”
Do you have something to say about the recent findings? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
