Occupational Stress Research

Australia's most mentally demanding jobs, ranked

Travel Attendants are Australia's most mentally demanding occupation, scoring 64.3/100 for workplace mental health hazards — followed by Police (64.2) and Chefs (63.9).

Clearhead scored 317 Australian occupations across 22 workplace mental health stress factors identified in SafeWork Australia's occupational hazards data — from conflict exposure and time pressure to noise, repetition, and responsibility for others' safety. Physical safety risks are deliberately excluded.

Scores range 0–100 (higher = more stress-inducing). The composite score is the equally weighted average of six stress categories.

Key findings

1Travel Attendants are Australia's most mentally demanding occupation (64.3/100), ahead of Police (64.2) and Chefs (63.9).
2The national average composite stress score is 47.4/100 across all 317 occupations.
3Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals are the least stress-exposed occupation, at 26.4/100.
4Roles often assumed to be highly stressful — such as chief executives — rank lower than expected, offset by high autonomy and control over how work is done.
5The ranking surfaces 'hidden' stresses like noise, physical proximity, repetition, and precision demands that are underestimated outside the occupation.

The 22 stress factors, grouped into six categories

Every occupation is scored on 22 individual stress factors from the SafeWork dataset. They group into six categories, and every occupation page shows both levels against the national average.

1Emotional demands3 factors: Exposure to conflict, aggression, and unpleasant or angry people as part of the job.
Deal With Physically Aggressive Peopleavg 14
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry Peopleavg 50.4
Frequency of Conflict Situationsavg 49.3
2Responsibility burden5 factors: The weight of decisions: responsibility for outcomes, other people's health and safety, and the consequences of error.
Responsibility for Outcomes and Resultsavg 58.5
Responsible for Others' Health and Safetyavg 57.3
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Resultsavg 70.4
Consequence of Erroravg 49
Coordinate or Lead Othersavg 64.9
3Pace and demands5 factors: Time pressure, long working weeks, frequent decision-making, and competitive intensity.
Time Pressureavg 71.6
Duration of Typical Work Weekavg 62.1
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipmentavg 23.1
Frequency of Decision Makingavg 70.7
Level of Competitionavg 52.4
4Lack of control2 factors: Limited autonomy to make decisions and highly structured work with little freedom in how it is done.
Lack of Autonomy to Make Decisionsavg 23.6
Amount of Highly Structured Workavg 25.3
5Precision and monotony2 factors: The need to be exact or accurate, and the repetition of the same tasks.
Importance of Repeating Same Tasksavg 56.9
Importance of Being Exact or Accurateavg 78.6
6Physical environment5 factors: Environmental stressors: noise, lighting, temperature extremes, disease exposure, and close physical proximity to others.
Sounds and Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortableavg 52.3
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lightingavg 24.9
Very Hot or Cold Temperaturesavg 32.4
Exposed to Disease or Infectionsavg 20.2
Physical Proximityavg 61.1

All 317 occupations, ranked by stress score

Click any occupation to see its full stress profile — category scores against the national average, its biggest individual stress factors, and the psychosocial work factors behind them.

#	Occupation	Stress score
1	Travel Attendants	64.3
2	Police	64.2
3	Chefs	63.9
4	Prison Officers	63.4
5	Meat Boners and Slicers, and Slaughterers	63.4
6	Commissioned Officers (Management)	62.6
7	Fire and Emergency Workers	62.3
8	Concreters	61
9	Air Transport Professionals	60.6
10	Electrical Distribution Trades Workers	59.8
11	Enrolled and Mothercraft Nurses	59.5
12	Survey Interviewers	58.6
13	Train and Tram Drivers	58.6
14	Registered Nurses	58.5
15	Anaesthetists	58.3
16	Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing Machine Operators	57.7
17	Structural Steel Construction Workers	57.5
18	Medical Imaging Professionals	57.4
19	Carpenters and Joiners	57.4
20	Pharmacists	57.3
21	Dental Practitioners	57.2
22	Marine Transport Professionals	56.8
23	Metal Casting, Forging and Finishing Trades Workers	56.3
24	Electricians	56.2
25	Other Construction and Mining Labourers	55.9
26	Inspectors and Regulatory Officers	55.8
27	Ticket Salespersons	55.8
27	Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators	55.8
29	Midwives	55.8
30	Packers	55.8
31	Gaming Workers	55.6
32	Bank Workers	55.4
33	Railway Track Workers	55
34	Veterinarians	55
35	Cafe and Restaurant Managers	54.8
36	Dental Assistants	54.3
37	Bus and Coach Drivers	54.2
38	Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Generation Plant Operators	54.2
39	Glaziers	54.1
40	Paving and Surfacing Labourers	54
41	Butchers and Smallgoods Makers	53.9
42	Other Stationary Plant Operators	53.9
43	Podiatrists	53.6
44	Food Trades Assistants	53.5
44	Kitchenhands	53.5
46	Roof Tilers	53.4
47	Recycling and Rubbish Collectors	53.2
48	Service Station Attendants	53.2
49	Nurse Educators and Researchers	53
50	Earthmoving Plant Operators	53
51	Engineering Production Workers	52.9
52	Primary Products Inspectors	52.9
53	Judicial and Other Legal Professionals	52.7
54	Crane, Hoist and Lift Operators	52.6
55	Automotive Electricians	52.6
56	Call or Contact Centre and Customer Service Managers	52.5
57	Security Officers and Guards	52.5
58	Truck Drivers	52.4
59	Forklift Drivers	52.4
60	Bricklayers and Stonemasons	52.4
61	Construction Managers	52.3
62	Pharmacy Sales Assistants	52.3
63	Veterinary Nurses	52.2
64	Surveyors and Spatial Scientists	52.2
65	Metal Engineering Process Workers	52.2
66	Specialist Physicians	52.1
67	Fencers	52.1
68	Social Professionals	52
69	Sheetmetal Trades Workers	52
70	Building and Plumbing Labourers	52
71	Manufacturers	51.9
71	Production Managers	51.9
71	Call or Contact Centre Workers	51.9
74	Plumbers	51.9
75	Aircraft Maintenance Engineers	51.7
76	Motor Mechanics	51.7
77	Optometrists and Orthoptists	51.6
78	Chief Executives and Managing Directors	51.5
78	Policy and Planning Managers	51.5
80	Funeral Workers	51.5
81	Mail Sorters	51.5
82	Product Quality Controllers	51.3
83	Child Care Centre Managers	51.3
84	Medical Technicians	51.3
85	Gardeners	51.1
85	Greenkeepers	51.1
87	General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers	51.1
88	Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers	51
88	Welfare Support Workers	51
90	Barristers	50.9
90	Solicitors	50.9
92	Transport Services Managers	50.8
93	Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers	50.7
93	Metal Fitters and Machinists	50.7
95	Social Workers	50.7
96	Debt Collectors	50.7
97	Agricultural Technicians	50.7
98	School Principals	50.6
98	Other Education Managers	50.6
100	Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators	50.6
100	Plastics and Rubber Factory Workers	50.6
102	Food and Drink Factory Workers	50.6
103	Telecommunications Trades Workers	50.5
104	Motor Vehicle and Vehicle Parts Salespersons	50.5
105	Transport and Despatch Clerks	50.4
106	Caravan Park and Camping Ground Managers	50.4
106	Hotel and Motel Managers	50.4
106	Other Accommodation and Hospitality Managers	50.4
106	Hotel Service Managers	50.4
110	Cooks	50.2
111	Vehicle Painters	50.2
111	Industrial Spraypainters	50.2
113	General Managers	50.1
113	Corporate Services Managers	50.1
113	Other Specialist Managers	50.1
116	Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics	50.1
117	Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers	50.1
118	Health and Welfare Services Managers	50
118	Nurse Managers	50
118	Practice Managers	50
121	Sportspersons	50
122	Handypersons	49.9
123	Middle School Teachers (Aus) \ Intermediate School Teachers (NZ)	49.8
124	Psychiatrists	49.8
125	Physiotherapists	49.7
126	Cafe Workers	49.6
127	Printers	49.5
128	Insurance Investigators, Loss Adjusters and Risk Surveyors	49.2
129	Human Resource Clerks	49
130	Betting Clerks	48.9
131	Aged and Disabled Carers	48.7
132	Safety Inspectors	48.6
133	Freight and Furniture Handlers	48.5
134	Couriers and Postal Deliverers	48.5
135	Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers	48.4
136	Dental Hygienists, Technicians and Therapists	48.4
137	Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers	48.4
138	Timber and Wood Process Workers	48.2
139	Animal Attendants and Trainers	48.2
140	Plasterers	48.1
141	Laundry Workers	48
142	Fast Food Cooks	48
143	Insurance Agents	48
144	Wall and Floor Tilers	47.9
145	Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operators	47.8
146	Auctioneers, and Stock and Station Agents	47.7
147	Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers	47.7
148	Credit and Loans Officers (Aus) \ Finance Clerks (NZ)	47.6
149	Authors, and Book and Script Editors	47.5
150	Print Finishers and Screen Printers	47.3
150	Printing Assistants and Table Workers	47.3
152	Artistic Directors, and Media Producers and Presenters	47.3
152	Film, Television, Radio and Stage Directors	47.3
154	Forestry and Logging Workers	47.3
155	ICT Managers	47.3
156	Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals	47.2
157	Sales Assistants (General)	47.2
157	Other Sales Assistants and Salespersons	47.2
159	Painting Trades Workers	47.2
160	Conference and Event Organisers	47.1
161	Human Resource Professionals	47.1
162	Meat, Poultry and Seafood Process Workers	47
162	Other Factory Process Workers	47
164	Medical Laboratory Scientists	47
165	Panelbeaters	47
165	Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers	47
167	Product Assemblers	47
168	Contract, Program and Project Administrators	46.9
169	General Clerks	46.8
169	Other Clerical and Office Support Workers	46.8
169	Other Miscellaneous Clerical and Administrative Workers	46.8
172	Importers, Exporters and Wholesalers	46.7
172	Retail and Wool Buyers	46.7
174	Checkout Operators and Office Cashiers	46.7
175	Information Officers	46.6
175	Receptionists	46.6
177	Waiters	46.6
178	Retail Managers	46.5
178	Retail Supervisors	46.5
180	Mining Engineers	46.5
181	ICT Business and Systems Analysts	46.4
182	Architects and Landscape Architects	46.1
183	Accounting Clerks	45.9
183	Bookkeepers	45.9
185	Telemarketers	45.7
186	Insulation and Home Improvement Installers	45.7
187	Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists	45.7
188	Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers	45.7
189	Chiropractors and Osteopaths	45.7
190	Civil Engineering Professionals	45.6
191	ICT Sales Professionals	45.5
191	Technical Sales Representatives	45.5
193	Electronics Trades Workers	45.5
194	Photographic Developers and Printers	45.5
195	Journalists and Other Writers	45.5
196	Cabinetmakers	45.4
197	Switchboard Operators	45.4
198	Interior Designers	45.2
199	Filing and Registry Clerks	45.2
200	Delivery Drivers	45.2
201	Keyboard Operators	45.1
202	Bakers and Pastrycooks	45.1
203	Occupational Therapists	44.9
204	Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials	44.8
205	Human Resource Managers	44.7
206	Diversional Therapists	44.7
207	Finance Managers	44.7
208	Crop Farmers	44.6
208	Livestock Farmers	44.6
208	Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers	44.6
211	Music Professionals	44.6
212	Engineering Managers	44.5
213	Public Relations Professionals	44.4
214	Accountants	44.4
214	Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers	44.4
216	Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers	44.4
217	Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers	44.3
218	Car Detailers	44.3
219	Sales Representatives	44.2
220	Other Hospitality Workers	44.2
221	Secretaries	44.2
222	Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	44.2
222	Electronic Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	44.2
224	Chemical and Materials Engineers	44.2
225	Office Managers	44.1
226	Upholsterers	44
227	Graphic Pre-press Trades Workers	44
228	Clothing Trades Workers	44
229	Library Assistants	43.9
230	Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	43.9
231	Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers	43.9
232	Floor Finishers	43.9
233	Payroll Clerks	43.9
234	Vending Machine Attendants	43.9
235	Deck and Fishing Hands	43.8
236	Telecommunications Engineering Professionals	43.8
236	Telecommunications Technical Specialists	43.8
238	Secondary School Teachers	43.8
239	Complementary Health Therapists	43.6
240	Jewellers	43.5
241	Life Scientists	43.4
242	Real Estate Sales Agents	43.3
243	Insurance, Money Market and Statistical Clerks	43
244	Audiologists and Speech Pathologists \ Therapists	43
245	Research and Development Managers	42.9
246	Court and Legal Clerks	42.8
247	Child Carers	42.8
248	Tourism and Travel Advisers	42.8
249	Aquaculture Workers	42.4
249	Livestock Farm Workers	42.4
249	Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Workers	42.4
252	Photographers	42.4
253	Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks	42.2
253	Storepersons	42.2
253	Shelf Fillers	42.2
256	ICT Support and Test Engineers	42
257	Gallery, Library and Museum Technicians	42
258	Agricultural, Forestry and Horticultural Plant Operators	41.9
259	Management and Organisation Analysts	41.9
260	Hairdressers	41.8
261	Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers	41.8
262	Financial Dealers	41.8
263	Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers	41.8
264	Commercial Cleaners	41.5
264	Other Cleaners	41.5
264	Caretakers	41.5
267	Nurserypersons	41.3
267	Crop Farm Workers	41.3
267	Garden and Nursery Labourers	41.3
267	Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers	41.3
271	Agricultural and Forestry Scientists	41.1
272	ICT Support Technicians	41.1
273	Electrical Engineers	40.8
274	Counsellors	40.7
275	Sewing Machinists	40.6
276	Bar Attendants and Baristas	40.6
277	Vocational Education Teachers (Aus) \ Polytechnic Teachers (NZ)	40.5
278	Education Advisers and Reviewers	40.4
279	Florists	40.3
280	Science Technicians	40.2
281	Nutrition Professionals	40
282	Ministers of Religion	40
283	Environmental Scientists	39.8
284	Psychologists	39.8
285	Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists	39.8
286	Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	39.7
287	Visual Merchandisers	39.7
288	Models and Sales Demonstrators	39.4
289	Domestic Cleaners	39.4
289	Housekeepers	39.4
291	Amusement, Fitness and Sports Centre Managers	39.3
292	Personal Assistants	39.1
293	Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals	39.1
294	Financial Investment Advisers and Managers	38.9
295	Librarians	38.8
296	Software and Applications Programmers	38.7
297	Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists	38.7
298	Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators	38.7
299	Computer Network Professionals	38.6
300	Advertising and Marketing Professionals	38.2
301	Beauty Therapists	38
302	Canvas and Leather Goods Makers	37.9
303	Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages	37.6
304	Fitness Instructors	36.4
305	Signwriters	36.4
306	Training and Development Professionals	36
307	Gallery, Museum and Tour Guides	35.5
307	Outdoor Adventure Guides	35.5
309	Land Economists and Valuers	35.3
309	Urban and Regional Planners	35.3
311	University Lecturers and Tutors	33.5
312	Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians	32.8
313	Massage Therapists	32.3
314	Electronics Engineers	31.1
315	Economists	30.8
316	Street Vendors and Related Salespersons	26.6
317	Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals	26.4

Methodology

Occupations follow the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). Scores derive from SafeWork Australia's Beta Occupational Hazards Dataset, filtered to the 22 hazard variables relating to mental health. Physical safety risks — like working at height — are deliberately excluded.

Two control-related variables are reported by SafeWork with inverted polarity (“freedom to make decisions” and “structured versus unstructured work”). We reverse these and present them as lack of autonomy to make decisions and amount of highly structured work, so a higher score consistently indicates greater stress exposure.

Hazard exposure describes the average conditions of an occupation, not any individual's experience — everyone has a unique tolerance for these challenges, and conditions vary between workplaces.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most stressful job in Australia?

By composite mental health stress score, Travel Attendants rank #1 of 317 Australian occupations (64.3/100), followed by Police (64.2) and Chefs (63.9). The ranking measures exposure to 22 workplace mental health hazards — not physical safety risks.

How are occupations scored?

Each occupation is scored 0–100 across 22 mental-health-related hazard variables from SafeWork Australia's Beta Occupational Hazards Dataset, grouped into six categories: emotional demands, responsibility burden, pace and demands, lack of control, precision and monotony, and physical environment. The composite score is the equally weighted average of the six categories. The national average composite is 47.4.

Why do some famously demanding jobs rank lower than expected?

Roles like chief executives score lower than many expect because they benefit from positive stress factors — particularly high autonomy and control over how work is done — which offset pressure and responsibility. Conversely, the ranking surfaces 'hidden' stresses such as noise, physical proximity, repetition, and precision demands that are often underestimated outside the occupation.

Does a high ranking mean everyone in that job is stressed?

No. Hazard exposure describes the average conditions of an occupation, not any individual's experience. Everyone has a different tolerance for these challenges, and conditions vary significantly between workplaces — which is why legislation requires each organisation to assess its own psychosocial risks.

Clearhead Psychosocial Risk Pulse Tool

Know your industry's risks. Then measure your own.

Population-level data shows where the hazards concentrate — but psychosocial risk legislation requires you to identify and manage the risks in your own workforce. Clearhead's Psychosocial Risk Pulse gives you that evidence, quarterly.

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