The Australian Centre on Quality of Life at Deakin University, in partnership with Australian Unity, has been monitoring the Subjective Wellbeing of Australian adults (18+ years) for the past 22 years through the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index (AUWI). The AUWI is one of the longest running national studies of subjective wellbeing in the world. Since its inception in 2000, data from over 75,000 Australians has been widely used by researchers, governments and organisations to gain insights into how satisfied citizens are with their lives and the nation.

This report captures the results of Survey 40, conducted in June 2023. Each year, the survey measures the subjective wellbeing of over 2,000 Australians aged 18+ against a series of national and personal life areas, including the economy, health, and community connectedness. This year, researchers also examined the areas of mental distress and carer wellbeing (professional and informal).

Key findings:

• Generational and income divides: Clear age and income divides emerged in personal wellbeing, particularly on Australians' satisfaction with their standard of living. Notably lower scores were observed for those aged 55 years and under, compared to older adults, and those with household incomes of $100,000 or less, compared to those earning more.
• Record low economic satisfaction: Satisfaction with the economic situation in Australia fell sharply from 2022, hitting its lowest level in the report’s 22-year history – worse than the Global Financial Crisis.
• Australian carers need more support: Informal carers felt less satisfied with their access to carer support compared to professional carers. They also recorded lower personal wellbeing and higher mental distress – particularly those providing informal care for more than 20 hours per week.