A lot of Australian workers are being forced to work longer hours without corresponding compensation, a new survey reveals.

The Working Australia Consensus was conducted by unions on more than 41,000 workers in Australia in May to July. Respondents came from every state and territory in Australia, with ages ranging from 15 to above 65. Respondents came from every state and territory in Australia and were aged 15 to over 65.

According to the survey, households are pouring half their weekly budget into housing, food and transport. It states that family finances are more stretched than ever. Costs for food, home-loan, education and health have been increasing steadily in recent years. The survey also showed that many employees are under increasing pressure at work.

Ged Kearney, President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, said that increased business productivity is happening at the expense the well-being of workers.

"We have in fact what we call a productivity squeeze which means businesses are achieving productivity (gains) through a great deal of pressure on workers,'' Ms Kearney told ABC Radio.

"An early analysis of Census data has confirmed what unions believed about the cost of living placing increasing stress on workers and their families, while the work-life balance has become more and more difficult to manage," Ms Kearney said.

"Australians are working longer and harder but life is not getting easier.

She adds that the worrisome part is the large amount of unpaid work being done.

"We are being told by our members that they are working harder than ever, longer than ever and not getting paid for that extra work.''

A Sydney Morning Herald report found that "sandwich women, forgotten blokes and insecure youth" are three groups being exploited the most and feeling the most pressure.

More than 60 per cent of working mums, or "sandwich women" said they felt most under pressure to work harder. They feel that increased flexibility would improve their working life. Men, aged 45 to 64, and dubbed as "forgotten blokes," state that they felt their age limited their chances for work. On the other hand, young workers below 25 years of age or the "insecure youth," also reveal experiencing high levels of financial stress.

Ms. Kearney reveals that under the current work place policies, Australian workers are "being short-changed." According to the survey, 50 percent of employees pay for expense at the workplace, and are not reimbursed for it.

"While the legislation might provide for these things, employers for whatever reason are not actually abiding by that,'' Ms Kearney said.

"A lot of our respondents, particularly in casual or insecure work, are saying that they are feeling forced to comply with this for fear of not getting shifts or for fear of not getting any extra work when they need it.''

"The ACTU conducted this survey because we want to ensure workers have a voice," revealed Kearney in the ACTU Web site.

Kearney states that workers should not have more rights taken away from them.

"The results of the Census will help shape our future campaigns and ensure that we are working to give Australians the better life they want and deserve.

"The Census results will be used to inform future ACTU policy and campaigns as well as provide insights into the working lives of working Australians and the issues that are important to them.