Almost a quarter of workers in Australia are currently intending to leave their current jobs (24% in Q4 vs 21% in Q3), according to research from National Australia Bank.

The research found that almost one in 10 Australian workers (8%) had changed jobs in the past quarter and one in three over the past two years.

According to the research, cost of living is impacting job seekers and salary shows up as the most important factor in finding a job, with 7 out of 10 workers considering it a high priority. However, despite the focus on salaries, around half of those who switched jobs over the past year were earning more in their new role.

Consideration to leave their current job is highest (and rising) among workers aged 18-29 (28% vs. 24% in Q3).

Among sectors, Utilities is the sector with the largest number of workers considering leaving (44% vs. 16% in Q3), followed by Manufacturing & Agribusiness (35%), Hospitality (33%) and Government (30%).

Confidence in getting a pay rise varies by job type (79% for trade workers vs. 39% in Q3). Around three in four sales workers (75%) and managers are also confident, compared to one in two general unskilled (49%), clerical & admin (50%), technology (50%) and digital & data workers (51%). By job type, pay rise expectations are highest among IT and sales workers, and lowest for clerical & admin workers.

When asked if they intend to seek a pay rise over the next 12 months, 36% of men said they would, compared to 25% of women. In the year ahead, around 70% of men expect to get a bigger pay packet, as against 60% of women.

In addition to salary, stability, flexible hours and purposeful work were also a priority for many, with around one in two labelling them as factors of high importance.

NAB Group Executive People and Culture, Susan Ferrier said employers looking to retain talent in these conditions had to be aware of the new challenges facing their workers.

“As we see the pressures of inflation hitting many Australians, I think employee wellbeing will need a very sharp focus. This is a workforce that has just lived through the many challenges of the pandemic,” Ferrier said.