Infrastructure Department Faces Morale Crisis Amid Staff Burnout
Plummeting census results reveal deep distrust in leadership and rising workplace exhaustion.
1Leadership Trust Declines Sharply
The Australian Infrastructure department is grappling with a severe internal morale crisis following its 2026 staff census. Trust in the Senior Executive Service plummeted, with scores regarding strategic direction falling by eight percentage points. Employees expressed significant dissatisfaction with how leadership articulates priorities and functions as a cohesive executive team.
2Redundancy Costs Surge Significantly
The department spent approximately $5.39 million on staff exits during the 2025-26 period, marking a 76.7 percent increase from the previous year. At least 15 voluntary redundancies were accepted, costing $2.5 million in total. Notably, 12 of these departures involved staff from the executive level classification within the organization.
3Workforce Capacity and Burnout
Staffing levels dropped to 2,172 in 2025-26, falling 106 personnel below the budget estimate of 2,278. Consequently, three in five employees reported workloads exceeding capacity. Thirty percent of staff now report feeling burnt out, a notable increase from the 24 percent recorded in the 2025 census results.
4Retention Risks Remain High
The internal instability has created a retention challenge, as 36 percent of staff expressed a desire to leave their positions within the next 12 months. Ten percent of those surveyed indicated they wish to depart as soon as possible. This sentiment reflects broader dissatisfaction with recent organizational change management processes.
5Supervisor Support Remains Resilient
Despite the executive-level crisis, immediate supervisors maintained higher approval ratings than senior leadership. Ninety percent of staff reported that their direct managers care about their wellbeing, while 91 percent agreed their supervisors ensure team delivery. This suggests a disconnect between frontline management effectiveness and the department's overall strategic leadership.
6Technology and Development Gains
Amid the negative trends, some operational areas showed improvement in the 2026 census. Technology barriers decreased by 11 percentage points, suggesting successful infrastructure upgrades. Additionally, employees reported better access to learning and development opportunities, which improved by four percentage points compared to the previous year's internal staff survey results.
7Future Staffing Projections
The department's Average Staffing Level is expected to rebound in the 2026-27 period, with budget projections targeting an increase to 2,267 personnel. This planned expansion aims to address the current capacity gaps that have contributed to the reported burnout and the overall decline in the department's engagement index to 71.
8Response to Census Findings
Departmental spokespeople confirmed they are reviewing the census data to develop specific action plans. These initiatives aim to focus on sustainable workloads and staff wellbeing to mitigate the current morale crisis. The department intends to engage closely with employees to address the weaknesses highlighted by the recent feedback cycle.
Original article: Canberra Times — Infrastructure Department Faces Morale Crisis Amid Staff Burnout