Video grabs about the report available here
Audio grabs about the report available here
Editor’s note: Images and overlay here. Interviews and grabs from The Lott available on request.
Would you still clock in to work after winning the lottery? It’s a question many Aussies have debated at their desk or around the dinner table.
New research from The Lott reveals how Australians would view work if they won a major lottery prize, with some quietly clocking in the next day, while others happily shared they’d embrace life as a self-declared ‘stay-at-home millionaire’.
In fact, two-in-five Australians (41%) admit they’d walk away from work for good after a major windfall.
But for many, quitting their 9-to-5 isn’t the first move. More than half (55%) said they would continue working even after pocketing millions – just on their own terms.
Among those who would stay on the job, nearly a quarter (24%) would reduce their hours, while others would use their windfall as a springboard to start a new business (9%) or change careers entirely (5%).
Meanwhile, one-in-four Australians (25%) confessed they’d take personal leave after discovering a life-changing lottery win.
A life reimagined: Aussies shared how they would reshape their working lives after winning the “big one”.
Resignation and retirement
- “I would plan a retirement date.”
- “I would resign and look to do work that brings me more joy.”
Giving back
- “I would donate my time to the local men’s shed.”
- “I would volunteer my time to help farmers who cannot afford to employ staff.”
Passion projects
- “I would paint full-time.”
- “Travel around Australia and produce a video blog.”
- “I would like to finish my master and PhD.”
Dream jobs
- “I’d work in Antarctica.”
- “I’d become a theme park ride tester.”
- “I would paint full-time.”
- “I'd pursue my dreams without financial fear.”
And when it came to side hustles, Aussies weren’t ready to let go, with nearly half (43%) sharing they’d keep them even with a major lottery prize.
Side hustles people wouldn’t ditch
- "I make and sell candles, lampshades and dogsit.”
- "I work a second job scoring football.”
- “Selling rare plants.”
- “Turf lawn care.”
The Lott spokesperson Eliza Wregg said the findings challenged the idea that winning big automatically meant quitting work.
“We often hear people say they’d quit work on the spot after a major lottery win, but the reality looks a little different,” she said.
“Interestingly, only two-in-five Australians said they would entertain resignation and retirement after a multi-million dollar lottery prize,” she said.
“Instead of ditching work altogether, there was a real theme of Aussies reimagining work on their own terms.
“Some said they’d donate time to local charities and causes they’re passionate about, while others would use their prize to change careers or fulfil lifelong dreams, such as working in Antarctica or becoming a theme park ride tester.
“And given winners often describe the moment as surreal and overwhelming, it’s no surprise one in four would take personal leave just to process it all.
“With the end of the financial year and the start of another just around the corner, many Aussies may be contemplating their work future.”
