What young Australians really want from work

Young Australians are often characterised as having a long list of expectations from their employers – rapid progression, greater flexibility, better pay, work-life balance and regular feedback.

But when we asked apprentices and trainees what they expected from an employer, something much more fundamental came first.

More than 43% said a positive and friendly workplace environment was most important to them, making it the number one expectation of employers. It ranked ahead of opportunities for progression (32.1%), fair pay and recognition (31.1%), coaching and mentoring (30.7%), safe work practices (26.6%) and work-life balance (22.9%).

Want the full breakdown? Explore what 12,000+ Australian apprentices told us about workplace culture, retention, and the support they value most.

So, are young workers really asking for something different? Or are they simply asking for the foundations of a good workplace?

Getting the fundamentals right

Looking more closely at what apprentices told us, there’s nothing particularly extravagant about their expectations.

They want to work somewhere they feel welcome and supported. They want opportunities to learn and develop. They want their contribution to be fairly recognised. They value guidance from the people around them, a safe working environment and the ability to balance work with the rest of their lives.

These aren’t expectations unique to younger workers. They’re the things that help create a workplace where people can do their best work – and want to stay.

For employers focused on attracting and retaining young people, that’s an important message.

It can be tempting to look for the next initiative, benefit or workplace perk that will make an organisation stand out. But the everyday experience of work may matter more.

How is a new employee welcomed into the team? How do supervisors speak to them and provide feedback? Do they feel comfortable asking a question or admitting when they don’t know something? Is good work recognised? Are they given opportunities to learn, build their skills and see where their career could take them?

These seemingly small interactions can shape how someone feels about their workplace – particularly when they are still building their skills, confidence and career.

A good workplace is good for everyone

The expectations of younger workers will continue to evolve as workplaces, technology and the way we work change. 

But the findings from Australian Apprentices suggest employers shouldn’t lose sight of what matters at the heart of the employee experience. A positive environment. Fair treatment. Support. Development. Safety. Balance.

Rather than asking why younger workers expect so much from their employers, perhaps there’s a more useful question to ask: 

“Are we consistently providing the fundamentals that help people thrive at work?”

Because what young workers want from work may not be so different after all.

See the full survey results and discover what early support, mentoring, and workplace culture mean for retention.