The Australian Seniors Series: Sandwich Generation Report 2025

• On average, caregivers spend about 15 hours per week on unpaid care for ageing parents, and another 15 hours for children, leaving less than 10 hours for personal care
• Nearly 3 in 5 currently or expect to provide care for parents or in-laws because they prefer to stay at home
• Over 4 in 5 caring for younger generations are still supporting them financially
• Over 2 in 5 believe women take on more caregiving responsibility in their family

We've all heard the term "Sandwich Generation", but what does it really mean to be caught in the middle – caring for ageing parents while still supporting children or grandchildren?

The Sandwich Generation Report 2025 forms part of the Australian Seniors Research Series, surveying over 4,500 Australians to understand the unique challenges facing those with dual caregiving responsibilities, and the compounding effects it has on our physical, mental, social and financial wellbeing. The findings paint a clear picture: we're a generation dedicated to family, but often at a significant personal cost – especially for women.

The Sandwich Generation: Balancing care for parents and children

Many of us envisioned retirement as a time for relaxation, travel, and pursuing personal passions. However, for a growing number of us, the reality is far more complex. We're finding ourselves providing significant support to both our ageing parents and our adult children or grandchildren. In fact, the research reveals that caregivers spend an average of 14.5 hours per week on unpaid care for ageing parents and another 15.2 hours on children, leaving less than 10 hours for personal care. This stark statistic highlights the significant time commitment involved in being part of the sandwich generation.

Perhaps even more telling, nearly 1 in 2 (49%) of us occasionally prioritise caregiving over our own needs, and nearly 2 in 5 (38%) do so either frequently (28%) or always (10%). This underscores the sacrifices we're making to ensure our loved ones are cared for, often at the expense of our own wellbeing.

So, what does this support look like in practice?

The toll of dual caregiving responsibilities

The findings highlight that providing emotional support (66%), transportation (62%), and companionship (61%) are the top caring responsibilities for ageing parents or in-laws. For children and grandchildren, the top forms of care include emotional support (60%), transportation (50%) and financial support (49%).

Annabel Reid, CEO of Carers Australia, acknowledges the unique circumstances of each family caregiver and the often-unseen dedication they demonstrate: “Every single person who is caring for a family member is unique. It is inspiring. And it is hidden. We often do not see the moments and the dedication as it generally happens in private settings. But it is real...and it is part of our communities.”

The commitment to caring for family – while admirable – comes with its own set of difficulties. The report reveals that many of us are experiencing increased stress levels, burnout, and fatigue as a result of juggling caregiving and work. It's also concerning that nearly half (48%) of us say caregiving affects our social life, rising to nearly 3 in 5 (58%) for those of us caring for both parents and children simultaneously. It seems the demands of caregiving can have a strong impact on our ability to maintain social connections and enjoy life outside of our family responsibilities.

The financial strain: A juggling act with tight budgets

The financial pressures of supporting multiple generations are substantial. In fact, nearly 7 in 10 (68%) of us anticipate making greater financial contributions as carers over the next five years, particularly for parents and in-laws as they age and require more support. On average, sandwich generation carers contribute nearly $1,500 every month to support their ageing parents or in-laws. Furthermore, over 4 in 5 (83%) of us with caring responsibilities for younger generations are still supporting them financially, demonstrating the ongoing nature of this commitment.

It's little wonder that nearly half (49%) of us find supporting both parents and children “very” or “extremely” challenging, underscoring the significant financial strain many are under. To manage these pressures, many are reducing personal expenses (56%) and optimising household budgets (41%) – often sacrificing our own needs and dreams to make ends meet.

Career impact: How the sandwich generation's caregiving affects employment

The demands of caregiving extend far beyond our personal lives, often impacting our careers and financial stability. More than 1 in 2 (52%) report increased stress at work, more than 2 in 5 (42%) experience burnout and fatigue, and nearly 2 in 5 (39%) use more personal leave. These figures reflect the difficulty of balancing work and caregiving, and the toll it can take.

It's also concerning that over 1 in 2 (53%) of those part of the sandwich generation that are currently working feel only partially supported at work. This lack of support can make it even more challenging to manage the demands of caregiving and maintain a successful career.

Career progression is also affected. Over 1 in 2 (53%) report they've had to choose between caregiving responsibilities and professional opportunities at least once. More than 3 in 5 (61%) say caregiving duties have impacted – or is likely to impact – their financial independence or career. This rises to nearly 3 in 4 (74%) for those currently sandwiched between caring for both the older and younger generations.

The most common impacts include:

• Reduced work hours (26%)
• Increased debt or financial strain (26%)
• Limited opportunities for skill development or career growth (21%)

While the impact is felt across the board, 17% of women say caregiving duties has led – or is likely to lead – to declined career progression, increasing to 25% for men. This points to a broader need for greater workplace flexibility and support for caregivers to help them balance their professional and personal responsibilities.

Gender care gap: Women bearing the brunt of the caring load

Nearly 1 in 2 (48%) women believe society expects them to be caregivers, while over 2 in 3 (64%) believe they carry a heavier caregiving load in their family. This is further compounded by the fact that more than 3 in 5 (61%) struggle to balance personal life with caregiving commitments – highlighting the toll it takes not only on their time, but also their financial and career futures.

Self-care: It's not selfish, it's essential

It's clear that being part of the sandwich generation is demanding, but it's crucial that we don't forget to prioritise our own wellbeing. The report reveals that as many as 9 in 10 (90%) of us have experienced signs of caregiving burnout, with emotional exhaustion (47%), sleep disturbances (46%), and physical exhaustion (45%) being the most common symptoms. This alarming statistic demonstrates the importance of recognising and addressing burnout. Furthermore, close to 2 in 3 (65%) of us are concerned about the long-term health impacts of caregiving, highlighting the need for proactive self-care. In good news, around one-third of carers engage in self-care strategies, including regular exercise (37%), seeking support (31%), and taking breaks (31%).

Yet a large number of us aren’t accessing the financial support available. Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) caregivers have accessed financial support programs, while close to 7 in 10 (68%) have not. About 1 in 10 (10%) are unsure of their eligibility. And even when support is accessed, only 1 in 4 (25%) find it sufficient, while more than 1 in 3 (36%) do not, and almost 2 in 5 (39%) are unsure. This highlights a significant gap between the need for financial assistance and the accessibility and adequacy of available programs. The report also reveals that nearly 2 in 5 (39%) caregivers cite a lack of awareness as the main barrier to accessing financial support, while almost 1 in 3 (32%) find application processes too complicated, and nearly 3 in 10 (29%) are ineligible due to income or other criteria.

Annabel emphasises the vital economic contribution of unpaid caregivers and the urgent need for greater support: “Carers are an unpaid and under-recognised workforce. Australia’s economy would collapse without them. And yet carers themselves are regularly on the edge of breakdown...sometimes are not even aware of the supports available.”

We can create a future where caring for our loved ones doesn’t come at the expense of our own wellbeing. Together, we can navigate the challenges of the sandwich generation with compassion, awareness and support – and by advocating for meaningful policy change that recognises and supports the vital role of unpaid carers.