Australians want to spend less time at work, according to a new survey prompting calls for caps to be put on the working week.

More than 1,700 people were quizzed on their work-life balance in a survey commissioned by independent think-tank The Australia Institute.

Half of those in full-time jobs said they would have liked to work fewer hours than they had, the week before the survey was taken.

And, 80 per cent working overtime would prefer not to.

The institute estimates cutting overtime would create 400,000 extra full-time jobs and improve the health of Australian workers.

Institute director Richard Denniss told the Australian Associated Press working weeks should be reduced to 35 hours a week.

"Governments should follow the European lead and introduce caps on hours," he said.

Source : Bernama