New research confirms burnout crisis in Victorian legal profession

A new report from the Legal Services Research Centre, part of the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner, has found that 53% of Victorian lawyers are at risk of burnout, including 25% at very high risk. The Wellbeing in the Legal Profession research brief, drawn from the 2025 Victorian Lawyer Census, found psychological distress and burnout were both linked to lower life satisfaction and higher intention to leave the profession. Workload, fair compensation, sexual harassment, incivility, and conflicts with professional obligations were identified as the workplace conditions most strongly associated with poor wellbeing. The VLSB+C says the findings are essential reading for legal workplace leaders, particularly ahead of Victoria's new Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations.

Read the report: Wellbeing in the Legal Profession: Findings from the 2025 Victorian Lawyer Census