{"id":296110,"date":"2025-08-06T17:50:45","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T05:50:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/?page_id=296110"},"modified":"2025-10-17T12:51:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T00:51:08","slug":"balanced-careers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/balanced-careers\/","title":{"rendered":"Balanced Careers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Balanced Careers<\/h1>\n

What careers offer the best (and worst) work-life balance in Australia?
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”#download” button_text=”Download the full report” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/balanced-careers.png” alt=”Woman smiling while using a laptop” title_text=”Balanced Careers” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”features” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/balanced-careers-halfhalf.png” alt=”balanced careers – how to choose the right career” title_text=”Balanced Careers Half&half” align=”center” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin-top:auto;||margin-bottom:auto;” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”The right career” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Choosing the right career for you<\/h2>\n

Choosing the right career shapes more than just your professional path, it has a big impact on your overall wellbeing too. To get a better picture of how different industries stack up, we analysed 11 key factors across four main areas: Workload, Life Balance, Flexibility and Time, and Household Time. The goal? To find out which careers in Australia offer the best (and worst) work-life balance, so you can make informed choices about your next step.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_id=”features” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#f7f7f7″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Key Takeaways” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Top vs bottom careers ” image=”https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Top-vs-Bottom-2.png” alt=”Top 10 & bottom careers takeaway” admin_label=”Top vs bottom careers” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_align=”center” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”40px|40px|65px|40px|false|false” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The top 10 vs. the bottom 10 is a case of white-collar vs blue-collar jobs. Our analysis reveals that office roles dominate the careers with the best work-life balance, securing 9 out of 10 spots, whereas hands-on, manual labour and trades hold 9 of the worst-ranked careers for work-life balance.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Industries ranked overall” image=”https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Industry-icon-2.png” alt=”Industries separate takeaway” admin_label=”Industries ranked overall” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_align=”center” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”40px|40px|65px|40px|false|false” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Holding the top ten spots are industries that facilitate a hybrid working arrangement, with defence leading the way. In contrast, industries like Fishing, Mining, and Public Order score the worst in work-life balance due to the environmental factors associated with those particular industries.<\/p>\n

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By focusing on the factors of each category, we observe a break from white-collar roles dominating the rankings and see a mix of careers and industries excelling in different areas. Notably, individuals can find work-life balance opportunities in a range of careers and industries, depending on what key factor is important to them.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”careers” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row module_id=”cities” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”The best and worst careers for work-life balance” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Best and worst careers for work-life balance<\/h2>\n

Topping the list are ICT professionals, with a score of 79.1 out of 100, followed by Executives at 74.9 and Business, HR and Marketing Professionals close behind at 69.4. These roles usually come with clear career pathways, strong support from higher education and plenty of remote or hybrid work options.<\/p>\n

At the other end of the scale, Protective Service Workers rank last with a score of just 33.4 out of 100, largely due to high stress levels (8.52) and little flexibility (14.8%). Other jobs like Machine Operators (37.17\/100), Drivers (40.27\/100) and Construction Labourers (44.96\/100) also rank low, weighed down by long hours and lack of flexibility. While these roles might keep you active, they offer fewer opportunities to work remotely, volunteer or manage your own time.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”40px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_is_carousel=”on” pac_dcm_carousel_row_items=”1″ pac_dcm_carousel_spacing=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_arrows_conditional=”opacity” pac_dcm_carousel_row_items_autoplay=”off” pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_arrows_position=”sides_inset” pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_arrows_background_color=”#ff5447″ pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_arrows_color=”#FFFFFF” pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_arrows_border_rad=”on|128px|128px|128px|128px” pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_prev_icon=”4||divi||400″ pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_prev_horizontal=”22px” pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_next_icon=”5||divi||400″ pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_next_horizontal=”22px” pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_dots=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb alt=”Invoice Template” content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”Table” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”84c72f0b-4b93-4a99-a19d-fc01dad3752f” header_level=”h2″ header_font=”|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”20px” header_line_height=”1.4em” body_text_align=”left” body_line_height=”1.4em” background_color=”#f3f2f6″ custom_padding=”35px|35px|35px|35px|true|true” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]