Changing Work Patterns

The way in which Australians work has changed considerable over the past 10 years.

• Women now account for a greater proportion in the workforce
• Growth in the part-time work sector
• Increased growth in retail, hospitality and education sectors
• Increased flexibility (part-time, casual)
• Decline in Australia’s manufacturing sector
• Traditional hours of 9-5 are disappearing
• Increased mobility of works eg independent contractors
• The workforce is ageing

Living Standards

• Standard of living generally measured by standards such as real income per person, poverty rates, access and quality of health care, income growth inequality and educational standards.
• Populations with high standards of living have high levels of demand for consumer goods; this in turn stimulates economy through spending
• Australia has relatively high living standards, but the gap in Australia is growing.