25-07-2025
Pack your bags: 1 in 3 Aussie bosses approve working holidays
As if you needed another excuse for a getaway!
Picture: Shutterstock
By Sarah Falson
Updated July 25 2025 - 9:38am, first published 8:33am
Despite big corporations, including Amazon, issuing strict work-from-office mandates at the start of 2025, a new survey has found one in three Aussie bosses are giving working holidays the green light. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
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The survey of 1000 Australians by travel insurance company Insure&Go found almost half of workers had taken a working holiday and a third of bosses were OK with it.
The findings point to a "workation" trend in which the lines between business and leisure are blurring, brought on by flexible workplaces reshaping how and where Australians choose to work.
Insure&Go's commercial and marketing director, David Mayo, said employees were reaping the rewards of businesses reconsidering the benefits of working flexibly.
But what happens if a mishap occurs while you are away? Do you need extra insurance to cover this?
"Employees travelling with expensive laptops, phones and other essential tech should ensure they are protected, either through company insurance or a domestic travel policy," Mr Mayo said.
"Travellers should check if their policy covers lost, stolen or damaged devices while working away."
His other piece of advice was to tell the truth about your workation because "transparency is key".
"With businesses shifting between remote and in-office models, many employers are open to flexible arrangements, but it's always best practice to ask first," he said. 'Frolleague' trips rising
A similar trend was highlighted in Hilton's 2025 Trends Report which showed nearly one in five Australians were regularly holidaying with "frolleagues", friends who are also colleagues.
That report showed Gen Z were leading the charge, with this age group twice as likely (almost 40 per cent) to be jetting off with colleagues.
April research from the Australian HR Institute found office mandates were stabilising. Fewer Australian employers were tightening in-office requirements and most were opting to maintain existing hybrid models.
A man relaxes on a beach in Indonesia with his laptop out. Picture: Unsplash/Johnny Africa
"Australian employers have made it clear - hybrid work isn't going anywhere, despite recent reports that it's being scaled back," said AHRI CEO Sarah McCann-Bartlett.
She said many employers were seeing hybrid working as "a key part of their talent strategy".
"As we move forward, organisations that prioritise flexibility and the employee experience will be well positioned to thrive in a competitive job market," Ms McCann-Bartlett said.
Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.
My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
