One in five Australian workers cite limited career opportunities as their main barrier to advancement, with many considering job changes to progress their careers.
ADP’s People at Work 2025 study, based on survey data from nearly 38,000 workers across 34 markets, found 20% of Australian workers identify lack of opportunities as their primary career obstacle, matching the global average of 19%.
What keeps workers engaged
Flexibility in scheduling remains the top reason Australian employees stay with current employers (38%), followed by pay for performance (25%) and access to professional training (24%). However, this differs from global trends where career advancement opportunities rank first (45%).
“Flexibility has become a basic expectation for Australian workers but it is not enough by itself,” said Kylie Baullo, General Manager for Australia, New Zealand, and Japan at ADP. “Employees also want to see clear career paths and opportunities to develop their skills.”
Age and seniority gaps
The study reveals significant differences across demographics. More than 20% of workers aged 40 and above report lack of opportunity as their biggest barrier compared to just 14% of those aged 26 and below. Individual contributors (20%) feel more blocked than executives and upper managers (16%).
Career stagnation strongly correlates with turnover risk. Among workers who perceive few growth opportunities, more than a third (34%) are actively job hunting. Additionally, 13% of Australian workers strongly agree they’ll need to change companies to advance their careers.
What this means for EAs
If you’re involved in HR planning or supporting executive discussions about talent management, consider raising the visibility of career pathways as a retention tool.
The research suggests that even flexible, well-paid employees may leave if they can’t see advancement opportunities, potentially impacting succession planning and team stability.
