Despite the building industry’s downturn over the last 18 months, builders and tradies are “holding up well”, the 2025 Live Well, Build Well survey found.
15% expressed that inconsistent or insufficient hours were a key challenge in their jobs, compared to 8% in 2024.
Of the 641 builders and tradespeople surveyed, 25% still say they are stressed always, or most of the time. Additionally, 25% reported struggling to find a work-life balance.
Job satisfaction and wellbeing scores were similar to those of the previous year. The most popular wellbeing activities for builders and tradies include connecting socially, exercising, maintaining a good diet, relaxation, helping others, and staying organised.
That growth in engagement indicates a positive shift toward open conversations about wellbeing in the trades, an area historically marked by stoicism and stigma.
While many builders and tradies still face long hours, physical strain, and fluctuating workloads, more are beginning to recognise that mental fitness is just as vital as physical safety on the job.
Industry leaders say initiatives like Live Well Build Well are helping to normalise discussions about stress, burnout, and balance, encouraging workers to look out for each other and take small, practical steps toward better health.
Even modest changes such as taking regular breaks, staying connected with mates, or setting boundaries between work and home life can make a meaningful difference over time.
The survey results show that while there’s still room for improvement, the direction of change is promising.
For those engaged with Live Well Build Well, the use of program resources has increased significantly over the last year.
Listening to tradies share their mental health stories (from 32% to 38%) and tips on improving mental fitness (from 20% to 28%) were the two most reported means of engaging with the programme. Those reporting that the programme aided their emotional health doubled from 3% to 6%.
More builders and tradespeople are discussing wellbeing, engaging with resources specifically designed for them, and taking proactive measures to support themselves and their peers.
As the sector continues to navigate economic uncertainty and shifting workloads, fostering a culture that values both productivity and personal wellbeing will remain essential.
The ongoing challenge will be ensuring that support systems, conversations, and resources continue to evolve alongside the industry, so that “building well” applies to both the job and the tradies completing it.
Visit https://livewellbuildwell.com/ for more information.
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