Baby boomers named Australia’s happiest workers as millennials report record dissatisfaction: SEEK report

Australia’s older workers are leading the country in workplace satisfaction, while younger generations are struggling with rising stress and a sense of disconnect, according to SEEK’s newly released Workplace Happiness Index.

The study shows that only 57% of Australians feel happy at work, a slight decline from last year. Alarmingly, one in three workers admit they often dread going to work, underscoring a growing tension between worker expectations and workplace realities.

Baby boomers emerged as the most content group, with nearly three-quarters (73%) reporting strong levels of happiness. Generation X followed at 59%. In contrast, only 54% of millennials described themselves as happy at work, making them the least satisfied of all groups surveyed. Gen Z fared only slightly better at 56%.

Younger workers also reported the highest levels of burnout, with 47% of Gen Z employees and 41% of millennials regularly experiencing exhaustion. Many said they feel overwhelmed by workload pressures and uncertain about long-term career prospects.

Beyond generational differences, SEEK’s research highlighted a noticeable geographical gap. Workers in Western Australia were most likely to feel satisfied (62%), followed by Queensland and South Australia (61%). Victoria (53%) and New South Wales (55%) recorded the lowest scores, with NSW experiencing a significant drop linked to concerns around job security.

Purpose remains the strongest driver of workplace satisfaction. Kylie Pascoe from SEEK’s Customer Insights & Research team noted that Australians are placing more value on meaningful work and strong senior leadership than on traditional motivators like workload or line management.

Despite this, workers remain dissatisfied with salary growth, ESG commitment and career development opportunities. Organisational psychologist Justine Alter said employees should try to create small moments of purpose, whether through mentoring or taking on projects that align with personal interests.