Too broke to call off: 1 in 3 Australians have had to work while sick
Millions of Aussies have had to turn up to work sick, according to new research by Finder.
Â
A Finder survey of 1,011 respondents revealed 1 in 3 (33%) Australians – equivalent to 7.2 million people – have had to tough it out at work while unwell for financial reasons.
Â
The research shows 17% have powered through during illness because they were employed as a casual.
Â
A further 15% have battled through a work day sick because they didn't have any sick leave, while 6% said it's because they couldn't afford healthcare if they didn't.
Â
Taylor Blackburn, personal finance and insurance specialist at Finder, said working while sick has become a financial survival tactic for millions of people.
Â
"We've somehow turned working while under the weather into a badge of honour – but for millions of Australians, it's not bravery, it's financial pressure.
Â
"Exposing your colleagues to infection or running yourself into the ground isn't admirable. The idea that sick days are optional is not only outdated, it's dangerous.
Â
"When people are clocking in with a fever just to pay the bills, that's not work ethic, it's a broken system."
Â
Blackburn said casual workers are being forced to choose between their health and their pay.
Â
"The pandemic should have put a stop to the 'soldier on' mentality for good. Instead, millions of Australians are still stuck working through illness.
Â
"For a large portion of the workforce, no attendance means no pay, making staying at home an impossible choice.
Â
"We focus a lot on productivity, but presenteeism can be a silent killer – people show up unwell, underperform, and risk everyone else's health in the process."
Â
Blackburn said rising inflation and interest rates will only exacerbate the trend.
Â
"Having a financial safety net like income protection insurance can be the difference between recovering at home and feeling forced to work through a serious illness."
Â
Have you had to work while you were sick?
| Yes, I was a casual employee | 17% |
| Yes, I didn't have any sick leave | 15% |
| Yes, otherwise I couldn't afford my healthcare | 6% |
| Yes, other | 3% |
| No | 67% |
| "Source: Finder survey of 1,011 respondents, February 2026 | |
| Respondents could tick more than one "yes" response" |  |
Â
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 90,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,011 respondents from February 2026.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
Â
Credits
- PR & Insights research team: Taylor Blackburn, Kate Boddington, Natascha Kwiet-Evans, William Capada
- Survey operation: Qualtrics
Ask a question