What’s the next challenge after mental health awareness?
Our latest Inside the Minds of Australia’s Workplaces research points to a new focus for better workplace mental health – and it may not be what you think.
Workplace mental health has long focused on awareness, education and support. But our latest evidence suggests another factor may have an even greater influence on outcomes: the way work itself is designed.
Combining national data analysis with insights from more than 4,000 Australian workers and 800 managers and leaders, our 2026 edition of Inside the Minds of Australia’s Workplaces provides one of the most comprehensive pictures yet of workplace mental health in Australia.
Bringing together employee and employer perspectives alongside national research for the first time, it explores how workplace pressures, psychosocial hazards and job design are shaping experiences at work.
From staying or leaving, to speaking up, taking leave or accepting lower pay, workplace mental health is increasingly influencing the decisions Australians make about work. This research offers a unique view of how work is experienced, where opportunities for change exist, and what employers need to do now.
The findings highlight a clear opportunity for employers to move beyond awareness and focus on the factors they can influence.
From work design and psychosocial risk to leadership capability and early intervention, Inside the Minds of Australia’s Workplaces 2026 provides a practical roadmap for creating better work and better outcomes.
To help turn the evidence into action, we’ve developed a range of resources to suit different audiences and needs.
Alongside the full report, you’ll find an executive summary, quick-read brief and practical tools designed to help leaders, managers and teams apply the findings, start conversations and take action.
Explore the report formats and practical tools below.
The research shows that awareness alone is not enough. The next step for employers is to focus on the conditions of work itself, how jobs are designed, how demands are managed and how people are supported.
Read the findings, your way. Choose the format that works for you, whether you’re looking for the full evidence, an executive overview or a quick briefing on the key findings.
Full Report
Get the full findings in detail – all the analysis, quotes and charts.
Key Takeaways
A condensed two-page version of the full report with key findings.
One Minute Brief
The report essentials in under 60 seconds – main findings at a glance, what they mean and what to do next.
Not sure where to start? We’ve turned the research into practical tools to help you take action.
Start with our interactive quiz to uncover job design risks in your workplace, then explore resources including a Team map template, Manager Conversation Guide and Executive Discussion Pack to apply the findings across your organisation.
How exposed is your workplace? Uncover job design risks with our 5-minute interactive diagnostic
Find out what workers aren’t telling you – key questions to ask, job design warning signs and actions.
EML’s Mutual Benefits Program provides free practical online training and resources covering many of the workplace issues highlighted in Inside the Minds of Australia’s Workplaces 2026, including job design, manager capability and resilience.
Explore resources aligned to this year’s findings and discover how Mutual Benefits can help you respond to job design risks and create a mentally healthier workplace.
Inside the minds of Australia's Workplaces - 2026
Information provided by this AI is generated automatically and is for general informational purposes only.
