Move over pay rise, there’s a new work perk Aussies are chasing. Free brekkie? Office pups? On-site babysitters? While we’d say yes to them all, the real winner is work-life balance. Fresh research reveals that Australians are now prioritising flexible working conditions over a higher salary when picking an employer – and we’re all here for it.
To gauge the global reach of this trend, Crowne Plaza by IHG and YouGov quizzed 12,000 people around the world about their priorities when picking a new job in 2025. While 53 per cent had their eyes on a bigger paycheck, non-financial perks were the real winners. Among Aussies, 59 per cent ranked a great team as their top priority, while 58 per cent valued flexible working hours and 31 per cent prioritised ‘blended travel’ – the freedom to work remotely and combine it with a leisure trip.
We predict that blended travel will be one of the biggest buzzwords of 2025, with two-thirds of global travellers seeing greater benefits and flexibility in it compared to five years ago. And how could you not? It’s a win-win for your work and your wellbeing. The top motivators for mixing work with pleasure travel are to explore new destinations (41 per cent), spend more time with family and friends (37 per cent), and increase happiness by making work more fun (35 per cent). We’re all about making work feel less like work.
It’s not just about maximising your time – blended travel is a money-saver too. In fact, 34 per cent of travellers say the biggest perk of mixing work and leisure is the ability to cut costs.
Thinking of working off-grid for the week? Why not head to one of Australia’s top regional towns. Want to combine work and wellness? We’ve rounded up the most luxurious health retreats. If you’re after something closer to home, why not book a staycation and tap away poolside at one of the best hotels in the country?