Earn
1 in 3 Aussies rethinking careers post-COVID-19
Job security is at an all-time low, leading more than 3 million Australians – and nearly half of all Millennials – to seriously consider a career change.

1 in 3 Aussies rethinking careers post-COVID-19
Job security is at an all-time low, leading more than 3 million Australians – and nearly half of all Millennials – to seriously consider a career change.

The ING Future Focus Report, released yesterday, has revealed that 3.3 million Australians are rethinking their chosen employment in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
According to Melanie Evans, ING’s head of retail banking, “COVID-19 has made many Aussies rethink their work choice, with some questioning whether their existing skills will always be needed while others have spent time dreaming about a change in career direction.”
While more than 3 million are contemplating a complete career change, 12 per cent are considering a job in essential services to ensure their role remains relevant, the report stated.
It’s not unsurprising given the fact that almost 600,000 Australians lost their jobs in April alone.
Of those who are reconsidering their careers, 1.38 million of them are Millennials – a whopping 45 per cent of the generational group’s workforce.
A further 1.31 million career changes are currently being considered by the Generation X population.
In an effort to explain the high proportions of both generational groups, Ms Evans said, “Millennials and those who fall into Generation X are at points in their life where stable incomes are really important.”
“Many Millennials are experiencing big life changes like marriage, children and home ownership. For Generation X, they’re probably paying off mortgages and planning for their retirement.”
Despite the large number of Australians who did indicate they would be looking for a career change, nearly one-third (32 per cent) of them expect new opportunities to be very hard to come by.
A further one in four (23 per cent) feel anxious or fearful about their prospects of finding work post-COVID-19.
She also highlighted how “we’ve had a good run of booming job growth in Australia, so many Millennials may have never experienced an economic downturn in their working careers”.
“This could be why so many are taking the initiative to re-assess careers and learn skills,” Ms Evans added, citing how 28 per cent of respondents are interested in learning new skills during isolation, while 11 per cent already using their extra time at home to upskill.
About the author

About the author


Salary
How to survive and thrive in the gig economy
What do Uber drivers, Upworkers and Taskrabbiters have in common? They’re part of what’s often referred to as the “gig economy”, comprising millions of Aussie workers. ...Read more

Salary
Unions call for minimum wage increase as Australians get back to work
The unions are calling for the minimum wage to be increased to help aid the economic recovery from the COVID-19 downturn, as the latest job figures show Australians are getting back to work. ...Read more

Salary
Labour market’s ‘miraculous’ recovery
The economic recovery is continuing, with Australia’s unemployment rate continuing to fall, official figures show. ...Read more

Salary
Job ads hit 12-year high
Despite unemployment remaining above pre-pandemic levels, the number of businesses looking for staff has reached a 12-year high, a new study has revealed. ...Read more

Salary
Menulog pivots towards employment model
Menulog says it will move away from the independent contract model towards hourly pay within the next few years in an industry first – a move that has been praised by the unions. ...Read more

Salary
‘Exploited workers’ earning just $10.42 per hour
The unions have slammed the gig economy after it was revealed that workers are still earning below a minimum wage, even during peak times. ...Read more

Salary
Unemployment falls, job ads surge as recovery continues
Australia’s unemployment rate has hit a one-year low, while the number of businesses looking for staff has hit a 12-year high, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Salary
Job vacancies surge on eve of JobKeeper ending
Despite JobKeeper’s official end just over a week ago, businesses across the nation are looking for employees, stats have revealed. ...Read more

Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening to the low and middle income tax offset?
Listen now

Home values up 30% (or are they); NFTs taking the world by storm, and why Keating thinks Aussies will be ‘poor’ in retirement
Listen now

Raging floods, the tech stock bubble and the ongoing SG debate
Listen now

Meet the Manager with Trilogy’s Philip Ryan: RBA rates and property price growth
Listen now

Salary
How to survive and thrive in the gig economy
What do Uber drivers, Upworkers and Taskrabbiters have in common? They’re part of what’s often referred to as the “gig economy”, comprising millions of Aussie workers. ...Read more

Salary
Unions call for minimum wage increase as Australians get back to work
The unions are calling for the minimum wage to be increased to help aid the economic recovery from the COVID-19 downturn, as the latest job figures show Australians are getting back to work. ...Read more

Salary
Labour market’s ‘miraculous’ recovery
The economic recovery is continuing, with Australia’s unemployment rate continuing to fall, official figures show. ...Read more

Salary
Job ads hit 12-year high
Despite unemployment remaining above pre-pandemic levels, the number of businesses looking for staff has reached a 12-year high, a new study has revealed. ...Read more

Salary
Menulog pivots towards employment model
Menulog says it will move away from the independent contract model towards hourly pay within the next few years in an industry first – a move that has been praised by the unions. ...Read more

Salary
‘Exploited workers’ earning just $10.42 per hour
The unions have slammed the gig economy after it was revealed that workers are still earning below a minimum wage, even during peak times. ...Read more

Salary
Unemployment falls, job ads surge as recovery continues
Australia’s unemployment rate has hit a one-year low, while the number of businesses looking for staff has hit a 12-year high, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Salary
Job vacancies surge on eve of JobKeeper ending
Despite JobKeeper’s official end just over a week ago, businesses across the nation are looking for employees, stats have revealed. ...Read more