Australian families are facing increasing pressure as the demands of full-time employment, school schedules and childcare continue to clash, raising concerns about the impact of time pressure on parents’ physical and emotional wellbeing.
A recent analysis by ABC News found that families with two full-time working parents and primary school-aged children may need to find at least 814 additional hours a year to manage the overlap between work and family responsibilities. The figure is equivalent to about 34 full days.
School and work schedules leave parents struggling
The analysis estimates a gap of about 7.5 hours a week between a traditional full-time working schedule and primary school hours. Parents must also manage commuting, school drop-offs and pick-ups, extracurricular activities and school holidays.
Australian workers spend an average of about 3.8 hours a week commuting, while parents may spend additional time transporting children to and from school and activities. School holidays create another major challenge, with around 12 weeks of holidays compared with four weeks of annual leave for the average worker.
The calculations do not include cooking, cleaning, laundry, appointments, homework, school events and other unpaid responsibilities involved in running a household.
Time pressure can affect wellbeing
Experts quoted by ABC News said sustained time pressure can lead to rushing, anxiety and parents cutting back on activities important to their own wellbeing. Researchers also highlighted the unequal distribution of unpaid work, with mothers continuing to carry a larger share of household responsibilities.
The analysis noted that the proportion of Australian two-parent families in which both partners work rose from 55 per cent in 1990 to around 71–73 per cent in 2025. Yet many workplace, school and childcare arrangements continue to operate around older assumptions about family life.
Experts have suggested measures including greater workplace flexibility, affordable after-school care, additional parental leave and a more equal sharing of unpaid household responsibilities.
The discussion highlights a wider issue: supporting parents is not only about convenience, but also about protecting family wellbeing and ensuring children receive adequate care and attention.