Flu costs Australian employers $7 billion in lost productivity

Freya Lucas

Feb 27, 2019

Save

Australian early childhood education and care (ECEC) employers are being encouraged to take advantage of flu vaccinations this year, with absenteeism (being absent from work due to illness) costing $7 billion each year in lost wages, and presenteeism (attending work whilst unwell) costing $34 billion in lost productivity.

Influenza is a major cause of both absenteeism and presenteeism during the autumn and winter months, with 48,276 cases of influenza being reported across the country in 2018.

Employers have been encouraged to minimise the impact of influenza through investing in flu vaccination programs.

“Employers are seeing that a healthy workforce is not just a benefit to employees but can lead to greater economic return, with 47 per cent of companies now offering workplace wellness programs,” TerryWhite Chemmart Chief Executive Officer Anthony White said .

Pharmacist Krystel Tresillian said it was important for people to get an annual flu vaccination, as flu strains evolved constantly and were very infections.

“Influenza is caused by a viral infection that is easily spread from person to person,” she said.

“A person with the flu may be contagious a full 24 hours before symptoms begin and continue to be infectious for a week after the onset of symptoms.

“This can have a devastating effect on a workplace, with the virus circulating quickly between co-workers and even onwards to their families.”

Ms Tresillian’s comments are of particular note to the early childhood education and care sector, with a greater chance of exposure to various viruses through the nature of their role.

Don’t miss a thing

Victorian Educational Leadership Program expands in 2026 – 400 places now available for early childhood leaders

Educational Leaders working in Victorian early childhood settings have a significant professional learning opportunity ahead, with Expressions of Interest now open for the Victorian Educational Leadership Program (VELP) in Term 2 and Term 3 of 2026. This fully funded initiative builds leadership capability and supports high‑quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) practice across the state.

HESTA research reveals workforce opportunities and challenges for early childhood education and care workers

HESTA’s latest State of the Sector workforce research has revealed 61% of early childhood education and care workers reported high role satisfaction - the highest among all health and community services sectors. Additionally, these workers expressed a high level of trust in their employers.

Jill Cameron recognised with Medal of the Order of Australia

Regional Early Education and Development Inc. (REED) is very proud to congratulate Jill Cameron, who was recognised for her service to early childhood education with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day, 2026.

Award-winning childcare centre celebrates staff milestones

Queensland Childcare Services (QCCS) honour industry leading staff milestones, including a 34-year commitment to delivering top-tier early childhood education services.

Staff screening obligation reinforced for Queensland approved providers

Approved providers across Queensland are being reminded of their legal obligation to check the register of prohibited persons and suspended educators before employing any individual to work in an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service.