Wellbeing
What is Real Wellbeing? Resources
20 years on: the events that shaped our lives

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Tags: What is Real Wellbeing? AUWI20 Wellbeing Index

The past 20 years have gone by in a heartbeat, and during that time we’ve been monitoring the wellbeing of Australian adults in one of the longest-running nationally representative surveys of wellbeing in the world, the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index. And what we’ve found? That, over 20 years, Australians have proven themselves to be a stable and resilient bunch.

2000–2010 

AUWI20 timeline 2000-10 AUWI20 timeline 2000-10
September 11 attacks

September 2001:

September 11 attacks

Princess Mary and Frederik

May 2004:

Mary Donaldson marries Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark


iPhone 3

June 2007:

First iPhone released

Barack Obama being sworn in

November 2008:

Barack Obama elected US President

Black Saturday bushfires

February 2009:

Black Saturday bushfires

Julia Gillard

June 2010:

Julia Gillard replaces Kevin Rudd

2011–2020 

AUWI20 events timeline AUWI20 events timeline
Prince William and Kate

April 2011:

Prince William marries Kate Middleton

Concept shot of crowd at a concert

April 2011:

World population reaches 7 billion


MH370 press conference

March 2014:

Flight MH370 disappears

NSW Police outside Lindt Cafe siege

December 2014:

Lindt Cafe siege in Sydney

Married men celebrating their wedding

December 2017:

Same-sex marriage legalised in Australia

Black Saturday bushfires

September 2019:

Black Saturday bushfires

Covid testing

March 2020:

First COVID-19 lockdown measures introduced in Australia

What is Real Wellbeing?

The mental health of young Australians

Although Australians’ mental health is improving, the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index shows us that young Australians are continuing to struggle. Our experts tell us more.

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What is Real Wellbeing?

Measuring what matters: wellbeing and our economy

Australian Unity Wellbeing Index research demonstrates a clear connection between our economy and our wellbeing. Our experts unpack the results.

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What is Real Wellbeing?

Supporting our care workforce

The demand for professional carers is growing rapidly—but how do care organisations attract and retain these vital employees? The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index has some insights.

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What is Real Wellbeing?

Caring for our informal carers

Australian Unity Wellbeing Index research shows that many informal carers struggle to cope with the intense demands of the role. How can we support them?

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What is Real Wellbeing?

Wellbeing in a time of crisis

Australians’ wellbeing has faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years. But the latest Australian Unity Wellbeing Index research shows we’re not out of the woods just yet.

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What is Real Wellbeing?

How cost-of-living pressures are impacting on our wellbeing

The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index has consistently shown that income has a clear impact on our wellbeing. But as cost-of-living pressures continue to mount, that relationship is changing.

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What is Real Wellbeing?

Supporting the wellbeing of young Australians

From climate change to mental health, young Australians are facing challenges on multiple fronts. And, as the latest Australian Unity Wellbeing Index research shows, it's having an impact on their wellbeing.

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What is Real Wellbeing?

Unprecedented challenges for our wellbeing

Our wellbeing is usually very resilient—but the latest research from the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index shows drops across a number of measures. So what does this tell us?

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