Australian attitudes to retirement shift as more people embrace mini retirements

The Rise of Multi Retirements is a special report from HSBC’s Quality of Life: Affluent Investor Snapshot – a global survey of more than 10,000 affluent adults in 12 markets. It shows that Australians are increasingly planning multiple intentional breaks during their careers to reflect, reset, and reinvent.

Australians leading the shift

The survey also found:

• Quality of life boost: 68% of Australians believe a mini retirement enhances their quality of life.
• Frequency: Of the 34% of Australians planning to take a mini retirement, almost half (47%) are planning to take 2–3 mini retirements in the future.
• Timing: The average Australian expects to take their first mini retirement at age 48, closely in line with the global average of 47.
• Duration: 34% of Australians who are planning a mini retirement are planning breaks lasting 6–12 months.
• Confidence gap: 67% of Australians feel confident in their financial planning for mini retirements, below the global average of 74%.

Globally, 87% of those who have already taken a mini retirement said it positively impacted their overall quality of life.

Key motivations for Australians

The top reasons Australians give for taking a mini retirement are:

• Travel and explore new places without work constraints (38%)
• Focus on individual wellbeing – physical, mental, and emotional (35%)
• Spend quality time with family (32%)

A new life rhythm

According to the global study, almost half (49%) of those intending to take a mini retirement plan to take between 2-3 months, with a preferred duration of 6 to 12 months (32%), and the ideal age to take the first break being 47 years old. This trend can be seen across all generations, led by Gen Z and Millennials who aspire to take an average of three mini retirements in their lifetime.

Jessica Power, Head of International Wealth & Premier Banking, HSBC Australia, said:

“Australians across all age groups are re-thinking retirement. With people working longer and often changing careers, there is no longer a one size fits approach to retirement. Our research shows that people are embracing retirement breaks as an opportunity to reset, travel, and prioritise family and wellbeing. It’s a fundamental shift in how people think about work, money, and quality of life, meaning planning is key for those wanting to embrace this trend.”

About the survey

The Affluent Investor Snapshot 2025, a global Quality of Life special report by HSBC, delves into the investment portfolios, behaviours, and priorities of affluent individuals worldwide. Conducted in March 2025 through an online survey across 12 markets (Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mainland China, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America), the research captures insights from 10,797 affluent investors aged 21 to 69, each possessing investable assets ranging from USD 100k to USD 2M. Of those respondents, 736 were Australian.

HSBC launched the inaugural edition of the Quality of Life report in 2023 to explore the concept of a good Quality of Life across different generation of affluent individuals and investigate the relationship between physical and mental wellness, and financial fitness.

The study was conducted by Ipsos Asia Limited.

Media enquiries:
Lillian Birchall
lillian.birchall@hsbc.com.au