Pay packet pressure: Aussie workers are hunting for another job
Almost half of working Australians are seeking extra income in 2026, according to new research by Finder.
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A Finder survey of 1,003 respondents, 646 of whom are employed, revealed 48% feel financially pressured to look for additional work this year.
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A quarter (26%) feel pressured to look for a higher paying job, while a further 22% admit they need to look for a second job to cover rising living costs.
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Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, said many Australians are facing financial hardship.
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"We are seeing a big shift where standard salaries no longer stretch to cover the essentials.
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"A single pay cheque often isn't enough to cover the basics, let alone get ahead. Many are now forced to hunt for extra income just to make ends meet.
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"This isn't just a story of people wanting to earn more money, it's about survival as everyday costs continue to rise faster than wages."
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Finder's research found more women (54%) feel pressured to find additional work than men (42%).
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Megginson said it's a sign financial stress has become more mainstream.
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"When almost half of the working population are looking for a second job or a new role, it's a clear indicator of how deep the pressure goes.
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"Australians are trying their best just to stay afloat," Megginson said.
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Do you feel financially pressured to look for another job in 2026?
| Yes, I feel pressured to look for a second job | 22% |
| Yes, I feel pressured to look for a higher paying job | 26% |
| No, I don't feel pressured | 52% |
| Source: Finder survey of 646 respondents with a job, January 2026 |  |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,003 respondents, 646 of whom are employed, from January 2026.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
Sources
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