Social – Changing Work Patterns, Living Standards

Social – Changing Work Patterns, Living Standards


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.

Extract from Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus. © 2010 Board of Studies NSW.