Melbourne, Australia, 8th April, 2026: More than four in 10 (44%) Australians do not believe they will ever earn enough in their lifetime to live comfortably, according to a new poll commissioned by ADP, a global leader in HR and payroll solutions.
The research shows that 44% of Australians doubt they will ever reach a level of income that allows them to live comfortably, amidst ongoing cost of living pressures and changing global markets. In fact, 47% of Victorians and 46% of NSW residents say they do not believe they will ever earn enough to live comfortably in their lifetime.
How someone feels about their financial future varies by age, according to the poll. Younger Australians are the most hopeful, with more than half of Gen Z (53%) believing they will eventually earn enough to live comfortably in their lifetime. However, confidence drops steadily among older generations: under half of Millennials (45%) say they will eventually earn enough; 38% of Gen X; and 29% of Boomers and the Silent Generation. However, one in three Boomers says they already have enough to live comfortably.
Kylie Baullo, General Manager for Australia, New Zealand and Japan at ADP, said the findings reflect generational divides in financial security and in outlooks for the future.
“Concerns about whether work will ever deliver long-term financial comfort are clearly weighing on the minds of many Australian workers, particularly those later in their careers,” Ms Baullo said.
“Younger workers remain more optimistic. but confidence declines with the older generations. Employers can respond by considering a transparent pay policy and investing in career development and financial literacy, so people can plan with more certainty.”
“Additionally, employers can provide upskilling through mentoring, stretch assignments, secondments and consider offering study leave or leave loading.”
ENDS
About ADP (NASDAQ – ADP)
ADP has been shaping the world of work with innovation and expertise for more than 75 years. As a global leader in HR and payroll solutions, ADP continuously works to solve business challenges for our clients and their workers, from simple, easy-to-use tools for small businesses to fully integrated platforms for global enterprises – and everything in between. Always Designing for People means we're focused on just that – people. We use our unmatched AI-driven insights and proven expertise to design innovative solutions that help people achieve greater success at work. More than 1.1 million clients across 140+ countries rely on ADP's exceptional service to support their people and drive their business forward. HR, Talent, Time Management, Benefits, Compliance, and Payroll. Learn more at ADP.com.
About the poll:
Antenna, an independent consumer research agency on behalf of ADP, conducted an online AntennaPoll survey of 1,019 Australians between 28th and 31st of Jan 2026. The data collection was national and weighted for representation against the 2021 ABS Census.
Contact details:
Icon Agency: [email protected]