Amid escalating costs for essentials like fuel and food, new findings reveal that most Australians are grappling with unprecedented financial challenges.

Research by Randstad, the leading global talent firm, indicates that nearly half of Australians, specifically 48%, have not seen a salary increase over the past year.

Madeline Hill, the general manager of Randstad Australia, expressed her astonishment at these statistics, which were highlighted in their recent Workmonitor report.

“Considering the current cost of living, this is unexpected,” she shared with Daily Mail.

“While it’s not uncommon for those earning well to miss out on raises, there’s a compelling argument that this trend needs to shift,” Hill added.

Furthermore, the data reveals that 36% of Australians are either juggling a second job or seeking one, underscoring that their main income is failing to match rising inflation rates.

The fact that more than a third of Aussies have had to take on a second job or were planning to, illustrates how difficult it is to get a pay rise.

But perhaps we’re not pushing hard enough. 

If the rising fuel and food prices weren’t enough, alarming new data has confirmed the vast majority of Aussie workers are doing it tougher than ever (stock image)

Preparation is key when approaching your boss for a pay rise (stock image)

The data showed that only half (49 per cent) of Aussies had the courage to ask for more money in the past year, while a third (32 per cent) asked for additional benefits such as paid time off or flexible working hours.

But it appears Aussies aren’t afraid to ask for more flexible working arrangements.

More than half of Aussie workers (53 per cent) asked for more flexibility – which was up eight per cent on the previous year.

Ms Hill shared practical advice for employees wanting to ask for a pay rise.

She said employees first needed to do their market research to understand what they’re worth, and that preparation was key.

‘You need to know your worth and the value that you’ve delivered. You absolutely need to know both of those things,’ she said.

‘You need to come with the right information and do your research and know your value. It’s got to be grounded in performance and data.

‘If you’ve worked really hard and you’ve got runs on the board and have delivered value and growth for the company, then you should be able to ask for a pay rise.’

Telling your boss you’re under financial stress isn’t a good way to get a pay rise

Ms Hill advises Aussie workers looking for a pay rise to ensure they make the right presentation to their boss and pick the right time to ask.

‘You shouldn’t ask for a pay rise because you’re struggling. Don’t say to your boss ‘my rent’s increased so I need a pay rise’,’ she said.

‘It’s about timing as well. If there are salary reviews every year, don’t leave it to the last minute. 

‘You’ve got to book a meeting in advance and not ambush your manager on the floor. You need to do it well ahead of any pay cycle review. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. It’s about having a business discussion, not an argument.’

Ms Hill also encouraged women to be confident about asking for a pay rise, after data showed they were less inclined to ask.

‘Men are better at asking for salary increases,’ she said.

Workers should prepare to ask for a pay rise well ahead of any pay cycle review

As of early 2026, wage growth in Australia is failing to keep pace with inflation, meaning many workers are experiencing a decline in ‘real’ wages.

Wages grew by 3.4 per cent over the year to the December 2025 quarter, but were lower than the 3.8 per cent inflation rate.

Health care and social assistance reported the highest wage growth (4.4 per cent), while financial services recorded the lowest (2.7 per cent). 

Last month, the Australian Council of Trade Unions announced it was seeking to lift the minimum wage from $24.95 to $26.19 an hour.

If approved, the increase would raise the full-time annual minimum wage by about $2,465 to $51,761.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus said even before the Middle East conflict pushed petrol prices higher, rising rents and power bills were straining household budgets, while energy companies, banks and supermarkets continued to post megaprofits.

‘Everyone knows the lowest paid workers in Australia are doing it tough because they have borne the brunt of cost-of-living increases as landlords put up rent and supermarkets and fuel companies pumped up prices,’ she said.