The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recently released comprehensive data shedding light on the factors influencing labor force participation and work hours during the 2020-21 financial year. Here are key highlights:
Labour Force Overview (2020-21):
- Total Population (18-75 years): 18 million
- Full-Time Workers: 9.5 million
- Not in Labour Force: 3.2 million (28% seeking a job)
- Working Less Than 16 Hours: 1.0 million (38% desire more hours)
Barriers to Work:
- Unavailable Reasons:
- Women: Caring for children (most common)
- Men: Long-term sickness or disability
- Incentives to Seek a Job:
- Top Incentives: Ability to work part-time, Finding a job matching skills and experience
COVID-19 Impact:
- Data collected from July 2020 to June 2021 reflects pandemic-related factors.
- 2.8 million people wanted a job or more hours, with 2.4 million available to start within four weeks.
Childcare Challenges:
- Mothers cited childcare as a primary barrier.
- 35% preferred to stay home with children.
- 27% faced issues with formal childcare.
Job Search Difficulties:
- 55% of those wanting a job faced difficulties.
- Top challenges included other difficulties (19%), too many applicants (18%), and lack of jobs (17%).
Incentives for Labour Force Participation:
- Top Incentives for Women: Ability to work part-time
- Top Incentives for Men: Finding a job matching skills and experience
Parental Perspectives:
- Mothers: 64% valued the ability to work part-time.
- Fathers: 50% emphasized finding a job matching skills and experience.
Long-Term Health Conditions:
- 4.1 million with a long-term health condition.
- Top incentives included working part-time (40%) and finding a job matching skills and experience (36%).
Quarterly Update (June 2023):
- 18.6 million aged 18-75; 73% employed or had a job to start.
- 39% of those without a job wanted a paid job, and 61% did not.
Incentives and Availability (June 2023):
- 75% of those wanting a paid job were available within four weeks.
- Top incentive: Finding a job matching skills and experience (36%).
Incentives Across Age Groups:
- 18-24 years: Skills and experience vital (64%).
- 25-39 years: Diverse incentives, including childcare and flexible hours.
- 40-54 years: Emphasis on skills and part-time work.
Incentives for People with Health Conditions:
- Long-Term Health Conditions: Skills and part-time work (40%).
- Disability: Skills and part-time work (30%).
Conclusion: The data underscores the diverse challenges and motivations shaping Australia’s labor landscape. As the ABS commits to more frequent updates, these insights provide a foundation for targeted policies and interventions to address evolving workforce dynamics.