Subtle warning signs are often missed until damage is done
Burnout is continuing to affect a large share of Australia’s workforce, prompting specialists to call for earlier intervention as new figures highlight persistent stress and declining workplace wellbeing.
Nick Orchard, burnout specialist and founder of The Big Refresh, highlighted that focusing on prevention rather than recovery could help address a crisis costing Australian businesses an estimated $14bn annually.
Burnout reaches crisis levels
Recent research paints a concerning picture of workplace wellbeing. Bupa reported 70% of working Australians experienced burnout in 2025, while the 2025 TELUS Mental Health Barometer found 41% were under constant stress and more than one-third were at high mental health risk.
“Burnout doesn’t hit us like a truck. It’s an insidious creep that takes hold slowly over time,” Orchard said. “It begins to shape how we perceive ourselves, our work, the people around us, our ability, and our worth.”
Orchard, who experienced a near-fatal burnout episode in 2020 while in a senior government role, said many workplace wellbeing efforts miss the mark by addressing problems only after damage has occurred.
Early warning signs often ignored
The specialist identified several subtle indicators professionals often overlook, including a reliance on external validation to feel competent, information overload that makes simple tasks difficult, and dependence on caffeine and sugar for energy.
Other warning signs include struggling to get out of bed, skipping restorative habits such as sleep and exercise, growing cynicism about work, and experiencing “Sunday scaries” that start earlier and last longer.
“In this age of likes, instant feedback and being ‘always on’, we can get hooked on external validation to prove our worth,” Orchard said.
Simple prevention strategies
Rather than pressure-filled resolutions, Orchard advocates for “burnout blockers” – simple systems designed to build boundaries and protect energy.
Recommended strategies include establishing boundary rituals, such as ending workdays with clear signals, breaking larger tasks into manageable one- to two-hour blocks, and scheduling micro-breaks between meetings.
Other approaches include investing 15–30 minutes each morning in avoided but important tasks, addressing uncomfortable conversations early rather than letting issues fester, and focusing exclusively on factors within personal control.
“Just like sunscreen protects us from getting burned, burnout blockers shield us from burnout,” Orchard said. “2026 can be the year of high performance, sustainability, wellbeing and joy, with just a few minor shifts to your daily practice.”
