The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index: Us

Celebrating our community is more than just me and you

Australians are a resilient bunch. Despite minor drops in wellbeing, driven by household factors such as income loss, stress and lack of control, overall wellbeing scores remained stable compared to non-pandemic years.

Explore articles about our national wellbeing

Events of the past 20 years have helped shape how satisfied we are with life in Australia.

The “us” in wellbeing

As a nation, volatile events like pandemics, bushfires, and other natural disasters do affect our collective wellbeing.

Younger man and woman wearing surgical masks

Resilience and COVID-19

The most recent Wellbeing Index survey was conducted during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and revealed a lot about our wellbeing—personally, as a community and as a society.

Does the government affect our wellbeing?

Research suggests that our satisfaction with government is highly dependent on how the ruling party of the day chooses to respond to prevailing issues.

State of wellbeing

Australians are a parochial bunch, but research shows that the state you live in has little impact on your wellbeing—but your electorate could make all the difference.

The power of politics: how the government affects our wellbeing

From pandemics to party politics, our sense of wellbeing is linked to the way our government responds to the issues of the day.

How COVID-19 changed the way we lived

While overall wellbeing remained stable during COVID-19, research shows there were some significant changes to the way we experienced wellbeing in our everyday lives.

While it was normal to have concerns and anxieties during this period, it also took its toll, so it was really important to take the time to care for ourselves.”

—Dr Nancy Huang, Chief Medical Adviser, Australian Unity

Read more about how COVID-19 changed the way we lived

Read all the 20th Anniversary report articles

What is Real Wellbeing?

Wellbeing and why it matters

20 July 2021

For 20 years, the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index, developed with Deakin University, has measured and explored our wellbeing as individuals, a community and a nation.

What is Real Wellbeing?

Tracking Australians’ wellbeing

20 July 2021

The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index is one of the most enduring and credible studies of wellbeing in Australia.

What is Real Wellbeing?

20 years on: the events that shaped our lives

20 July 2021

Looking back over two decades of events that affected our collective wellbeing, for better and for worse.

What is Real Wellbeing?

Elleni’s story: family ties

19 July 2021

For Elleni Bereded-Samuel the relationship between individual wellbeing, family and community is particularly crucial to wellbeing.

What is Real Wellbeing?

Peter’s story: looking back on a life well-lived

19 July 2021

For Peter, as he enjoys his retirement years, appreciating what his life has provided is what keeps him happy.

What is Real Wellbeing?

Don’t worry, age happy

19 July 2021

Old age can get a bad rap. But, as research shows, our later years could also be our happiest.

What is Real Wellbeing?

Home is where the heart is

19 July 2021

For city slickers and rural folk alike, where you live has an impact on your wellbeing.

What is Real Wellbeing?

Resilience and COVID-19

19 July 2021

The wellbeing of Australians was remarkably resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Want to discover more about Real Wellbeing?

What do you think of when you think wellbeing? Yoga? Self-care Sundays and 8-week challenges? That’s just a very small bit of what it means to have Real Wellbeing, and we should know given it’s something we’ve been researching for 20 years in partnership with Deakin University. Curious to learn more about your Real Wellbeing? Keep reading.

Test your Real Wellbeing

We’ve been studying the wellbeing of Australians for over 20 years with the help of Deakin University, through the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index. Take our Wellbeing Test now for a free, personalised report on your wellbeing, and to see how you compare to fellow Aussies.

Take the test

Explore more from the 20th Anniversary report

Keen to find out more?

The Australian Centre on Quality of Life (ACQOL)

Access past Wellbeing Index reports and learn more about the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index

Learn more

Australian Unity Wellbeing Index

Learn more about the index and find recent reports and videos

Learn more

What is Real Wellbeing?

Discover how your wellbeing is so much more than green smoothies and yoga

Learn more

Celebrating our community is more than just me and you

Explore articles about our national wellbeing

Events of the past 20 years have helped shape how satisfied we are with life in Australia.

The “us” in wellbeing

Resilience and COVID-19

Does the government affect our wellbeing?

State of wellbeing

The power of politics: how the government affects our wellbeing

How COVID-19 changed the way we lived

While it was normal to have concerns and anxieties during this period, it also took its toll, so it was really important to take the time to care for ourselves.”

Read all the 20th Anniversary report articles

Wellbeing and why it matters

Tracking Australians’ wellbeing

20 years on: the events that shaped our lives

Elleni’s story: family ties

Peter’s story: looking back on a life well-lived

Don’t worry, age happy

Home is where the heart is

Resilience and COVID-19

Want to discover more about Real Wellbeing?

Test your Real Wellbeing

Explore more from the 20th Anniversary report

Keen to find out more?

The Australian Centre on Quality of Life (ACQOL)

Australian Unity Wellbeing Index

What is Real Wellbeing?

Us: national wellbeing

As a nation, we’ve had our ups and downs over the past two decades—and our collective wellbeing has often reflected those changes.