New research reveals that “chucking a sickie” is costing Australian businesses an estimated $7.3 billion annually in lost productivity, with 24.6 million days taken off work each year for reasons unrelated to illness.
A national survey commissioned by iSelect found that 70.8% of Australians admit to taking at least one sick day without being genuinely unwell in the past year. This trend comes with major implications for business continuity, workforce engagement, and operational costs. Even when mental health days are excluded, 68% still report taking non-health-related leave.
You can view the full study here: www.iselect.com.au/media-centre/survey-reveals-the-reasons-aussies-fake-sick-days
Top 10 reasons Aussies are chucking a sickie by age:
| Rank | Reasons | 18-24 years | 25-34 years | 35-44 years | 45-54 years | 55-64 years | All Aussies |
| 1 | Lack of sleep | 44.1% | 39.8% | 35.4% | 29.2% | 18.2% | 33.0% |
| 2 | Wanting to relax and recharge | 32.4% | 36.5% | 33.1% | 20.5% | 11.7% | 27.0% |
| 3 | Mental health day | 20.7% | 33.1% | 29.7% | 18.0% | 11.0% | 23.1% |
| 4 | Personal issues (e.g. family or relationship problems) | 22.5% | 23.8% | 20.6% | 16.1% | 15.6% | 19.7% |
| 5 | Feeling demotivated or disengaged at work | 23.4% | 23.2% | 24.0% | 17.4% | 8.4% | 19.3% |
| 6 | Looking after a family member, e.g. childcare | 10.8% | 15.5% | 30.3% | 19.9% | 11.7% | 18.3% |
| 7 | Needing to run errands or handle personal tasks | 12.6% | 14.4% | 14.9% | 9.9% | 7.8% | 12.0% |
| 8 | Hangover | 9.0% | 14.9% | 16.0% | 6.2% | 5.2% | 10.6% |
| 9 | Don’t want to be in the office / workplace | 9.0% | 17.1% | 15.4% | 5.6% | 3.2% | 10.5% |
| 10 | Wanting to take a day off for general leisure | 12.6% | 12.2% | 9.7% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 9.1% |
| Percentage who have taken at least one sickie | 82.9% | 84.5% | 76.6% | 61.5% | 49.4% | 70.8% | |
Alarmingly, younger employees were the most likely to take unsanctioned time off, with 84.5% of 25–34 year olds and 82.9% of 18–24 year olds reporting taking at least one non-sick day in the past year. This trend may reflect a generational shift in attitudes toward work-life balance, with younger employees prioritising personal wellbeing over strict adherence to traditional workplace norms.
When it comes to family and childcare, women are more likely to take on this responsibility in place of work (20.1% of women vs. 16.3% of men). This reflects ongoing gender norms and societal expectations, often leading women to reduce or leave their employment, highlighting the need for more supportive workplace policies such as flexible work arrangements and equitable parental leave.
Andres Gutierrez, General Manager – Health at iSelect, said: “Our research found that it is very common for Australians to pull a sickie at least once a year despite not being physically ill. A lack of sleep, wanting to relax and recharge, and mental health are the top three reasons, highlighting how some Australians might choose to prioritise self-care. If you’re finding it tough to get a good night’s sleep or you’re dealing with mental health challenges, it’s important to reach out for support. Some private health insurance policies can help cover things like mental health services and sleep studies.”