New data from Australia’s largest workplace health survey has revealed the scale of physical and mental strain facing the nation’s tradespeople, with seven in 10 workers reporting weekly pain and burnout as a persistent workplace issue.
The Tradies National Health Survey, conducted with more than 4,800 tradespeople across the country, is described as the largest study of its kind in Australia.
It was carried out in partnership with the Australian Physiotherapy Association and offers a detailed picture of how physically demanding trade work is taking a toll on workers’ bodies and minds.
According to the findings, 70 per cent of tradespeople experience work-related physical pain or discomfort every week, a figure that underscores the sheer physical toll of repetitive tasks, long shifts and demanding worksite conditions.
Perhaps more concerning is that more than half of respondents said they lack confidence in their ability to keep working in their trade until retirement age, a statistic that raises serious questions about the long-term sustainability of careers in the sector.
Burnout emerged as one of the survey’s most significant findings, with more than 70 per cent of tradespeople reporting they had experienced burnout at least occasionally over the past 12 months.
Dr Luke Martin, a clinical psychologist affiliated with Beyond Blue, said burnout is a far more complex issue than simple fatigue.
“Burnout can develop when ongoing workplace demands consistently outweigh the support and resources people need to maintain their wellbeing.”
He pointed to long hours, heavy workloads, labour shortages and constant pressure to keep projects on schedule as key contributing factors, noting that when these pressures build without adequate time to rest and recover, the consequences can ripple into concentration, motivation, relationships and mental health more broadly.
Cost of living pressures are also weighing heavily on the industry.
The survey found that 21 per cent of respondents who offered additional feedback pointed to financial stress as a significant factor affecting their mental wellbeing, an increase from 16 per cent in 2025 and 15 per cent in 2024.
The steady rise over three consecutive years points to a growing burden of household expenses and financial uncertainty among tradespeople, compounding the physical and emotional demands already present in the job.
Despite these challenges, the survey also found encouraging signs of a shift in attitudes toward mental health. Just over half of tradespeople now say they feel comfortable talking to someone, whether a family member, friend, workmate or health professional, if they have concerns about their mental health.
Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harman AO said the findings reflect the dual pressures many workers now navigate both on and off the worksite.
“Tradies are often the people others rely on to get the job done, but these findings show many are carrying significant pressure both at work and at home,” said Harman.
Harman said most people who are struggling tend to reach out first to someone they already know and trust, whether that is a partner, workmate or supervisor, which makes fostering psychologically safe workplaces critical to early intervention.
She added that awareness alone is not enough, and that recognising early warning signs and acting on them, whether through starting a conversation, checking in with a colleague or seeking support directly, remains the most important step toward recovery and long-term wellbeing.
The survey’s results add to a growing body of evidence highlighting the physical and psychological pressures facing Australia’s trade workforce, and are expected to inform ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes and support systems across the industry in the years ahead.
