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A six-figure salary, quality time with family or friends, regular holidays, a flat white after the gym every morning … what is it that brings you true satisfaction?

For more than two decades, Australian Unity has partnered with Deakin University to track the wellbeing of Australians through the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index.

The index measures seven personal life domains*: health, relationships, standard of living, community connectedness, personal safety, future security and achieving in life (a sense of purpose). It also tracks six national life domains – the economic situation, natural environment, social conditions, government, business and national security – to assess how satisfied people are with life in Australia.

Australian Unity’s strategy and impact manager, Siobhan Henderson, says the “golden triangle of happiness” refers to three core personal life domains that support our wellbeing.

“If someone wants to boost their feelings of overall wellbeing they’re probably best to work on one of these areas if they are low,” Henderson says.

“These keys to happiness are known to have the biggest impact, not only protecting wellbeing but also promoting positive feelings.”

If you’re guessing which three domains make up the “golden triangle of happiness”, take our quiz and find out how much you know about what really influences our wellbeing.

*Read about the methodology here.

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  1. True or false? Australians’ satisfaction with life is the lowest it’s been in years.

    1. True.

    2. False.

  2. Couple discussing home finance while checking bills<br>Happy indian couple discussing home finance while holding documents and working on laptop and mobile phone. Middle eastern man and casual woman sitting at table and discussing expenses. Happy multiethnic couple checking financial documents and calculating family budget in living room.

    Money doesn’t buy happiness. True or false?

    1. True.

    2. False.

  3. Male and female family members playing cards during social gathering at garden party<br>GettyImages-2170862365

    True or false? When it comes to wellbeing, it’s important to have people around you in times of need.

    1. True.

    2. False.

  4. Family talking outdoors

    The youngest Australians are the loneliest of all age groups – true or false?

    1. True.

    2. False.

  5. It doesn't feel like a wait with complementary wifi<br>Shot of a group of young women sitting in the waiting room of a clinic

    True or false? Australians’ satisfaction with health has been improving over time.

    1. True.

    2. False.

  6. A happy young couple moving into a new apartment<br>Move of a young couple

    Which gives a greater sense of wellbeing: home ownership or the freedom of renting?

    1. Home ownership.

    2. Renting.

  7. Asian grandmother reading to her granddaughter<br>Asian toddler girl sitting on her grandmother’s lap, reading a storybook together at home. Family love and togetherness. Grandmotherhood.

    Which generation feels financially better off than their parents were at the same age?

    1. Gen X.

    2. Millennials.

    3. Boomers.

    4. Gen X and boomers.

  8. While wellbeing is at low levels, the good news is that it is quantifiable and can be improved. What is the “golden triangle of happiness": the three areas of life that are most important if we are to feel satisfied?

    1. Health, personal safety and standard of living.

    2. Community connectedness, future security and personal relationships.

    3. Personal relationships, standard of living and achieving in life.

Solutions

1:A - The 24-year old index found Australians’ satisfaction with their personal lives to be close to its lowest level recorded, while satisfaction with life in Australia was at a record low, because of declining satisfaction with the economic situation, business, government and national security. The cost-of-living crisis is burdening Australians and appears to be affecting multiple wellbeing domains. Surprisingly, people felt more positive about both their personal lives and life in Australia in 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The index’s lead researcher, Deakin University’s Dr Kate Lycett, suggests this is probably because people rallied together and were offered financial support from the government during this difficult time, which lifted some people out of poverty overnight., 2:A - This is true … but it helps. While there isn’t a certain monetary figure that provides happiness, financial deprivation can have a strong impact on personal wellbeing. Financial stability and, crucially, having enough money for essentials, are important factors in boosting life satisfaction. The index found that Australians’ satisfaction with their ability to afford the things they need was the strongest factor differentiating high and low subjective wellbeing., 3:A - Unsurprisingly, the people around us have a big effect on our wellbeing. Close relationships in which you feel comfortable being honest and open can help you feel supported and understood. Beyond that, being connected to a broader community can help us feel part of something meaningful, and bring a sense of purpose. This year’s results show that being able to turn to people we know for help can provide an important boost to our wellbeing. , 4:A - We might assume loneliness mostly affects older Australians, but researchers found loneliness levels to be highest among the youngest adults. Australians aged 18-34 reported notably higher feelings of mental distress and loneliness than adults aged 55-plus. Lycett says soaring rental prices and the cost of living are putting many social “luxuries”, such as having a night out with friends, out of reach for young people. , 5:B - Unfortunately, the data suggests this is false. All age groups reported a decline in satisfaction with their health. The reason could be that Australia’s healthcare system is struggling, with longer wait times, difficulty accessing GP appointments and fewer bulk-billing options. Once again, the cost of living may be a factor – when you’re feeling the pinch, trips to health practitioners can be too expensive. Concerningly, this year’s survey found that one in four Australians had put off paying for healthcare or medicine in the past month due to money pressures., 6:A - Homeowners had notably higher wellbeing scores than renters and people living with their parents, even if they were contending with mortgage repayments. The reason is thought to be down to our perceived future security, a key factor in overall wellbeing; and because saving for a deposit feels out of reach for many Australians. , 7:D - Australians over 55, which includes boomers and some gen Xers, are the only group who feel they’re in a better financial position than their parents were at their age. , 8:C - Achieving in life relates to your purpose: what drives you, or gets you out of bed in the morning, whether that be your job, family or calling. Standard of living refers to your levels of wealth and comfort, and your ability to meet your material needs. Personal relationships are meaningful relationships that can boost your wellbeing and support you in times of need. Researchers have found that a strong sense of satisfaction in these three areas may provide just the right balance to boost wellbeing.

Scores

  1. 8 and above.

    Well done! You’re in the know about different factors that can have a big effect on our wellbeing, and the areas of life that are most important if we are to feel satisfied. You can learn more about the 2024 Australian Unity Wellbeing Index research findings at australianunity.com.au/wellbeing.

  2. 7 and above.

    Well done! You’re in the know about different factors that can have a big effect on our wellbeing, and the areas of life that are most important if we are to feel satisfied. You can learn more about the 2024 Australian Unity Wellbeing Index research findings at australianunity.com.au/wellbeing.

  3. 6 and above.

    Well done! You’re in the know about different factors that can have a big effect on our wellbeing, and the areas of life that are most important if we are to feel satisfied. You can learn more about the 2024 Australian Unity Wellbeing Index research findings at australianunity.com.au/wellbeing.

  4. 5 and above.

    You’ve put in a great effort on the journey to learn more about wellbeing and what makes Australians feel satisfied with life. Find out more about the 2024 Australian Unity Wellbeing Index at australianunity.com.au/wellbeing.

  5. 4 and above.

    You’ve put in a great effort on the journey to learn more about wellbeing and what makes Australians feel satisfied with life. Find out more about the 2024 Australian Unity Wellbeing Index at australianunity.com.au/wellbeing.

  6. 3 and above.

    Some of these answers came as a surprise to you, and now you know a little bit more about certain factors that are influencing Australians’ sense of wellbeing. Learn more about the 2024 Australian Unity Wellbeing Index at australianunity.com.au/wellbeing.

  7. 2 and above.

    Some of these answers came as a surprise to you, and now you know a little bit more about certain factors that are influencing Australians’ sense of wellbeing. Learn more about the 2024 Australian Unity Wellbeing Index at australianunity.com.au/wellbeing.

  8. 0 and above.

    Some of these answers came as a surprise to you, and now you know a little bit more about certain factors that are influencing Australians’ sense of wellbeing. Learn more about the 2024 Australian Unity Wellbeing Index at australianunity.com.au/wellbeing.

  9. 1 and above.

    Some of these answers came as a surprise to you, and now you know a little bit more about certain factors that are influencing Australians’ sense of wellbeing. Learn more about the 2024 Australian Unity Wellbeing Index at australianunity.com.au/wellbeing.

Australian Unity delivers positive impact through health, wealth and care services for its members and the community. The 2024 Australian Unity Wellbeing Index is now available – read the report here.