One of the more unexpected findings from FICA's 2026 Financial Health Survey was the level of interest in wellbeing and mental health support. 40% of respondents said they would be interested in wellbeing initiatives, while a further 27% said they might be interested. Combined, that means more than two-thirds of respondents are open to some form of support.
At first glance, this result may seem surprising. In previous FICA member surveys, mental health and wellbeing have generally ranked below other priorities such as profitability, costs, workforce shortages, regulation, and market conditions. However, when viewed alongside the financial health survey findings, the result begins to make more sense.
Contractors are operating in an environment where cost pressures remain intense, profitability has declined for many businesses, debt servicing remains a challenge, and uncertainty around future work continues to weigh heavily on decision-making. Half of survey respondents reported profitability had decreased compared with the previous year, while 48% indicated they were under financial pressure that was affecting them either often or to some degree. Many also identified profitability and debt servicing as among the most significant challenges facing their businesses.
What the survey highlights is that financial pressure does not just impact balance sheets. It impacts people.
Unlike many wellbeing programmes across the sector which have traditionally focused on forestry workers and crews, the survey suggests principal contractors themselves may be carrying some of the greatest pressures. Contractors are not only responsible for their own livelihood, but also for their employees, equipment finance, compliance obligations, tax commitments, cashflow management, and maintaining sufficient work pipelines to keep their businesses operating.
Many of the comments received through the survey reflected the personal toll that ongoing financial pressure, uncertainty, and responsibility are having on business owners. Beneath discussions about rates, costs, markets, and regulation is a clear message that many contractors are feeling the strain.
For FICA, this information is valuable because it helps identify where support may be needed most. The association cannot solve every issue affecting contractor businesses, but it can help ensure that contractors are not facing challenges alone.
Over the coming months, FICA will consider what practical support may look like. This could include strengthening informal contractor networks, facilitating peer-to-peer discussions, improving awareness of available wellbeing services, or exploring opportunities to connect members with specialist support when required.
One of the strongest strengths of the contracting community has always been its willingness to support each other. Often the most important step is simply having someone to talk to who understands the pressures of running a contracting business.
If you are struggling, reach out. Whether that is to another contractor, a trusted colleague, Rowan Struthers, Sarah Davies from Women in Forestry, or a member of the FICA Board, there are people willing to listen and help connect you with support.
The survey has reinforced an important message: looking after the financial health of contractor businesses and looking after the wellbeing of the people who run them are closely linked. Both matter, and both will remain an important focus for FICA going forward.
