Give us a break’: Aussies want more time off   :( 
Almost half of Aussies have chucked a sickie for a specific reason as the country’s burnout crisis seemingly worsens.


News.com.au
July 27, 2025

An extra day off could help with Australia’s burnout crisis as new research reveals almost half of Aussies have taken a “wellness sickie” to combat the issue.

Burnout is not a virus or a bacterial infection, but something equally insidious and potentially just as devastating.

Simply, burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion.

The World Health Organisation describes it as phenomenon that arises from chronic workplace stress that leaves people feeling exhausted and completely depleted of energy, which can lead to depression and anxiety.

Aussies are exhausted - and most want more public holidays.


According to Mental Health Australia, an alarming 61 per cent reported experiencing burnout in 2023, compared to the global average of 48 per cent with the statistics revealing Aussies to have the highest burnout rates in the world.

In fact, Mudgee Region Tourism today revealed almost half (47 per cent) of Aussies have taken sick leave for a personal break or getaway at least once.

As such, 72 per cent want more public holidays as one way to help combat the issue.

The organisation partnered with Pure Profile to conduct the research in June 2025, surveying more than 1000 Australians.


“These results weren’t surprising to us,” Beau Kassas, chief marketing officer of Mudgee Region Tourism told news.com.au.

“We know Aussies are more stressed and burnt out than ever. Public holidays, particularly long weekends are one of the few guaranteed moments in the year we get a well-deserved break.”

Mudgee Region Tourism today revealed 72 per cent of Aussies want more public holidays as one way to help combat the issue.

The tourism board has today launched a petition calling for a “Mudgee Monday” - a proposed new public holiday for NSW, aimed at fighting burnout, supporting mental health, and levelling the long weekend playing field between states.

Its research revealed 57 per cent of Aussies believe that an extra-long weekend each year would reduce burnout and stress.

‘Give us a break’   :(

“The Mudgee Region is calling on NSW residents to sign the petition and encourage Premier Chris Minns to give us the break we deserve – namely, a Mudgee Monday,” he told news.com.au.

“Towns like Mudgee, Gulgong, Kandos and Rylstone are becoming more than just a nice option - we’re part of the wellbeing solution. This isn’t just about a day off; it’s about taking rest before wreckage, even if just for a long weekend.”

The organisation revealed almost half (47 per cent) of Australians have taken sick leave for a personal break or getaway at least once.

He said, interestingly, the tourism board’s latest research shows Aussies want to also even the playing field when it comes to standardising public holidays across the country.

New South Wales, alongside Western Australia, receive just 11 public holidays a year compared to Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia with up to 13 - and Tasmania having the fewest at 10.

“This is why we’re calling on the premier to even the stakes and give NSW residents an extra public holiday,” Mr Kassas said.

“We need to start thinking about time off in a more sustainable way. We can’t continue to bank our annual leave for one big, expensive (and exhausting) holiday each year.”   :(

He said small towns like Mudgee, Gulgong, Kandos and Rylstone remind us how travel is meant to be – slow, unhurried, and deeply personal.

Beau Kassas of Mudgee Region Tourism.

“This style of authentic travel offers a refined refuge from the relentless pace of modern life,” he said.

“Adding a day to the weekend a few times a year may seem like a small solution – but the benefits of slowing down in regions like ours for three days instead of two will drive a big impact.”

Dr Anastasia Hronis, a leading clinical psychologist and researcher, is also backing the campaign, advocating for policy that puts mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of legislative discussions.

“It is a wonderful initiative to help Australians see our beautiful countryside while enjoying some much needed rest and recovery from the grind of daily life and work,” she told news.com.au.

The tourism board has launched a petition calling for ‘Mudgee Monday’ - a proposed new public holiday for NSW, aimed at fighting burnout, supporting mental health.

It's not like we couldn't have one or two more public holidays.

Australia ranks at the lower end of public holidays in the world's ranking, with 9 to 13 depending on the state.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_public_holidays

If you want more time off, ask for more time off. Not sure why you need to legislate it.

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 11:24am:

If you want more time off, ask for more time off. Not sure why you need to legislate it.

So your family and friends are all off at the same time?

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 11:31am:

freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 11:24am: If you want more time off, ask for more time off. Not sure why you need to legislate it. So your family and friends are all off at the same time?

You want to force your friends to not be able to do a day's work on the off chance you want to hang out with them on that particular Monday instead of a Sunday, and you are too poor at planning to organise a group of people in advance?

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 11:37am:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 11:31am: freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 11:24am: If you want more time off, ask for more time off. Not sure why you need to legislate it. So your family and friends are all off at the same time? You want to force your friends to not be able to do a day's work on the off chance you want to hang out with them on that particular Monday instead of a Sunday, and you are too poor at planning to organise a group of people in advance?

You don't have any friends and family, then?!!

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 11:39am:

freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 11:37am: MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 11:31am: freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 11:24am: If you want more time off, ask for more time off. Not sure why you need to legislate it. So your family and friends are all off at the same time? You want to force your friends to not be able to do a day's work on the off chance you want to hang out with them on that particular Monday instead of a Sunday, and you are too poor at planning to organise a group of people in advance? You don't have any friends and family, then?!!

Sure I do. I just don't want to make a new law to force them to not be able to do a day's work on the off chance I want to hang out with them on that particular Monday instead of a Sunday, and I am too poor at planning to organise a group of people in advance.

Not sure how you managed to mangle that one. Are you using the same interpretation skills you used on Gary Stevenson?

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 11:41am:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 11:39am: freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 11:37am: MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 11:31am: freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 11:24am: If you want more time off, ask for more time off. Not sure why you need to legislate it. So your family and friends are all off at the same time? You want to force your friends to not be able to do a day's work on the off chance you want to hang out with them on that particular Monday instead of a Sunday, and you are too poor at planning to organise a group of people in advance? You don't have any friends and family, then?!! Sure I do.

Sorry, I meant living humans.

If your friends and family don't want to come to your BBQ, the story about the evil boss might just be the excuse, not the reason. More public holidays will not solve your problem.

Those who retire early often speak of having to learn to do things on their own, as their age peers, of course, are working.

When they just have the weekend off, it's usually family first and only, particularly when they have kids.

When days are designated as public holidays, particularly Monday ones, they become calendar dates for family and friends to meet.

Do a survey... Ask a few neurotypical people for their opinion on how they often spend public holidays.

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 11:55am:

If your friends and family don't want to come to your BBQ,.

I'm betting you have that problem a lot

I guess the brothers are driving down from Queensland, and Stella's flying in from the coast...

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 12:02pm:

Those who retire early often speak of having to learn to do things on their own, as their age peers, of course, are working. When they just have the weekend off, it's usually family first and only, particularly when they have kids. When days are designated as public holidays, particularly Monday ones, they become calendar dates for family and friends to meet. Do a survey... Ask a few neurotypical people for their opinion on how they often spend public holidays.

Again, I don't see what this behaviour has to do with forcing everyone to take the day off. There is a huge diversity in how real people manage their time off, and it looks nothing at all like the random rules you make up. It is you who needs to ask around.

Australians typically get 4 weeks of annual leave per year, on top of the existing public holidays. They could be doing a 9 day fortnight, if that is what they actually wanted. The fact that you do not like the choices they make, and see a government mandate as the natural solution to them making the wrong choices, just makes you a control freak.

Or a deluded unionist who thinks this is just another magical way to get something for nothing.

Meister don't you think it is funny that you keep projecting autism, but you are so bewildered by other people not wanting to spend time with you that your only conclusion is the government needs to force them to take another day off work so they can fit you into their busy schedule, and you think that would actually work?

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 12:23pm:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 12:02pm: Those who retire early often speak of having to learn to do things on their own, as their age peers, of course, are working. When they just have the weekend off, it's usually family first and only, particularly when they have kids. When days are designated as public holidays, particularly Monday ones, they become calendar dates for family and friends to meet. Do a survey... Ask a few neurotypical people for their opinion on how they often spend public holidays. Again, I don't see what this behaviour has to do with forcing everyone to take the day off. There is a huge diversity in how real people manage their time off, and it looks nothing at all like the random rules you make up. It is you who needs to ask around. Australians typically get 4 weeks of annual leave per year, on top of the existing public holidays. They could be doing a 9 day fortnight, if that is what they actually wanted. The fact that you do not like the choices they make, and see a government mandate as the natural solution to them making the wrong choices, just makes you a control freak. Or a deluded unionist who thinks this is just another magical way to get something for nothing. Meister don't you think it is funny that you keep projecting autism, but you are so bewildered by other people not wanting to spend time with you that your only conclusion is the government needs to force them to take another day off work so they can fit you into their busy schedule, and you think that would actually work?

Your autism is showing, again...

Nerotypical people tend to like an agreed public holiday... Ask someone who's neurotypical... ask your therapist.

No one is arguing for fewer public holidays... It's not like 9 to 13 (federal and state public holidays) are divine numbers or supported by science.

I'd doubt that a plebiscite on another one or even two would reveal much serious opposition.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 12:58pm:

freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 12:23pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 12:02pm: Those who retire early often speak of having to learn to do things on their own, as their age peers, of course, are working. When they just have the weekend off, it's usually family first and only, particularly when they have kids. When days are designated as public holidays, particularly Monday ones, they become calendar dates for family and friends to meet. Do a survey... Ask a few neurotypical people for their opinion on how they often spend public holidays. Again, I don't see what this behaviour has to do with forcing everyone to take the day off. There is a huge diversity in how real people manage their time off, and it looks nothing at all like the random rules you make up. It is you who needs to ask around. Australians typically get 4 weeks of annual leave per year, on top of the existing public holidays. They could be doing a 9 day fortnight, if that is what they actually wanted. The fact that you do not like the choices they make, and see a government mandate as the natural solution to them making the wrong choices, just makes you a control freak. Or a deluded unionist who thinks this is just another magical way to get something for nothing. Meister don't you think it is funny that you keep projecting autism, but you are so bewildered by other people not wanting to spend time with you that your only conclusion is the government needs to force them to take another day off work so they can fit you into their busy schedule, and you think that would actually work? Your autism is showing, again... Nerotypical people tend to like an agreed public holiday... Ask someone who's neurotypical... ask your therapist. No one is arguing for fewer public holidays... It's not like 9 to 13 (federal and state public holidays) are divine numbers or supported by science. I'd doubt that a plebiscite on another one or even two would reveal much serious opposition.

Do you have any evidence for any of this? You project an awful lot of opinions onto other people. Are you just afraid to own your own?

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 12:19pm:

I guess the brothers are driving down from Queensland, and Stella's flying in from the coast...

They say it's gonna be a hundred degrees, even more maybe, but that won't stop the roast ...

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 1:08pm:

You project an awful lot of opinions onto other people.

And you project your resentment of a new public holiday onto neurotypical Australians.

I've had to work with and manage many autistics over the years, one in particular makes me wonder if 'Freediver' is him. He'd go in on weekends, public holidays and, when forced to take accumulated leave, he applied for it, got it approved, and, you guessed it, turned up to work anyway.

Get back when you've done your own research among neurotypical people.

I notice you ignored this question and chose to talk about autism. Again.

Do you have any evidence for any of this?

Need need need

You're a very needy guy , white knight  ::)

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 2:27pm:

I notice you ignored this question and chose to talk about autism. Again. Do you have any evidence for any of this?

Do you have any evidence that neurotypical Australians would have a problem with another public holiday?

I have experience with neurotypical people to draw from. You have yourself as an autistic.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 12:58pm:

Nerotypical people tend to like an agreed public holiday... Ask someone who's neurotypical... ask your therapist.

So you have consulted your therapist...well done. ;)

You are the one making it all up as you go along Meister. And now you are getting your panties in a bunch and trying to make it personal.

Do you have any evidence at all to back up the claims you made? And do you know how to give a straight answer? How many people have you actually asked to get your "experience"? Because all I have seen you do is mangle and misunderstand what other people say, and for some reason it always works out that everyone else agrees with everything you say, unless you can think of some petty insult for them.

This is why all the obsession with autistics over the last decade or so was misguided.

While there are a (precious) few who are savants, the vast majority of the ones you'll meet and work with are outright stupid, assuming that if it's in their head, it has to be true.

Even when they've never heard of something topical for weeks or months, if it's not in their head, it didn't happen 'cos they didn't know.

There have been national surveys conducted regarding more public holidays, and they show there is likely a majority support for more public holidays (no surprises there)... the question of what they should celebrate is more debated, but not the idea of more public holidays.

The WA government is currently looking at adding another public holiday to the calendar. "Public opinion appears to favour the addition of a new holiday, with some expressing the view that 'we all love a public holiday,' according to a recent article. The WA Government is actively engaging with stakeholders to gather input on potential changes to the public holiday schedule. "

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 2:56pm:

The WA government is currently looking at adding another public holiday to the calendar. "Public opinion appears to favour the addition of a new holiday, with some expressing the view that 'we all love a public holiday,' according to a recent article. The WA Government is actively engaging with stakeholders to gather input on potential changes to the public holiday schedule. "

Who are you quoting there Meister?

Is that an elaborate way of saying you made it all up?

In all your "experience" will real people, how many did you actually ask about their opinions on public holidays before deciding you can speak on their behalf? How many of them do you think believe that you are delusional?

Other than making things about about your "experience," do you have any evidence to back up the claims you made?

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 3:00pm:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 2:56pm: The WA government is currently looking at adding another public holiday to the calendar. "Public opinion appears to favour the addition of a new holiday, with some expressing the view that 'we all love a public holiday,' according to a recent article. The WA Government is actively engaging with stakeholders to gather input on potential changes to the public holiday schedule. " Who are you quoting there Meister? Is that an elaborate way of saying you made it all up? In all your "experience" will real people, how many did you actually ask about their opinions on public holidays before deciding you can speak on their behalf? How many of them do you think believe that you are delusional? Other than making things about about your "experience," do you have any evidence to back up the claims you made?

For the non-autistic, it's easy to Google.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 3:41pm:

freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 3:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 2:56pm: The WA government is currently looking at adding another public holiday to the calendar. "Public opinion appears to favour the addition of a new holiday, with some expressing the view that 'we all love a public holiday,' according to a recent article. The WA Government is actively engaging with stakeholders to gather input on potential changes to the public holiday schedule. " Who are you quoting there Meister? Is that an elaborate way of saying you made it all up? In all your "experience" will real people, how many did you actually ask about their opinions on public holidays before deciding you can speak on their behalf? How many of them do you think believe that you are delusional? Other than making things about about your "experience," do you have any evidence to back up the claims you made? For the non-autistic, it's easy to Google.

Did you make up the quote Meister?

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 3:43pm:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 3:41pm: freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 3:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 2:56pm: The WA government is currently looking at adding another public holiday to the calendar. "Public opinion appears to favour the addition of a new holiday, with some expressing the view that 'we all love a public holiday,' according to a recent article. The WA Government is actively engaging with stakeholders to gather input on potential changes to the public holiday schedule. " Who are you quoting there Meister? Is that an elaborate way of saying you made it all up? In all your "experience" will real people, how many did you actually ask about their opinions on public holidays before deciding you can speak on their behalf? How many of them do you think believe that you are delusional? Other than making things about about your "experience," do you have any evidence to back up the claims you made? For the non-autistic, it's easy to Google. Did you make up the quote Meister?

Googled it.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 3:51pm:

freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 3:43pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 3:41pm: freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 3:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 2:56pm: The WA government is currently looking at adding another public holiday to the calendar. "Public opinion appears to favour the addition of a new holiday, with some expressing the view that 'we all love a public holiday,' according to a recent article. The WA Government is actively engaging with stakeholders to gather input on potential changes to the public holiday schedule. " Who are you quoting there Meister? Is that an elaborate way of saying you made it all up? In all your "experience" will real people, how many did you actually ask about their opinions on public holidays before deciding you can speak on their behalf? How many of them do you think believe that you are delusional? Other than making things about about your "experience," do you have any evidence to back up the claims you made? For the non-autistic, it's easy to Google. Did you make up the quote Meister? Googled it.

Can you provide a link to where you got it from?

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 3:52pm:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 3:51pm: freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 3:43pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 3:41pm: freediver wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 3:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 2:56pm: The WA government is currently looking at adding another public holiday to the calendar. "Public opinion appears to favour the addition of a new holiday, with some expressing the view that 'we all love a public holiday,' according to a recent article. The WA Government is actively engaging with stakeholders to gather input on potential changes to the public holiday schedule. " Who are you quoting there Meister? Is that an elaborate way of saying you made it all up? In all your "experience" will real people, how many did you actually ask about their opinions on public holidays before deciding you can speak on their behalf? How many of them do you think believe that you are delusional? Other than making things about about your "experience," do you have any evidence to back up the claims you made? For the non-autistic, it's easy to Google. Did you make up the quote Meister? Googled it. Can you provide a link to where you got it from?

Try 'is there popular support for another public holiday in australia'... see what happens

Can you provide a link to where you got the quote from?

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 3:56pm:

Can you provide a link to where you got the quote from?

You need to learn to achieve simple Google searches.

It does not show up when I google the exact quote Meister. Why are you being so evasive?

Can you provide a link to where you got the quote from?

freediver wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 4:38pm:

It does not show up when I google the exact quote Meister. Why are you being so evasive? Can you provide a link to where you got the quote from?

You run a politics forum, and you can't Google simple text, then.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 4:46pm:

You run a politics forum

you are being generous ::)

John Smith wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 8:08pm:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 4:46pm: You run a politics forum you are being generous ::)

If you don't like it here Mimo, just F-off then.

Jasin wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2025 at 10:51pm:

John Smith wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 8:08pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Aug 2nd, 2025 at 4:46pm: You run a politics forum you are being generous ::) If you don't like it here Mimo, just F-off then.

On day release again are you? try not to hurt yourself this time, for your own safety I'd suggest you use a plastic fork