6209.0 - Labour Mobility, Australia, February 2013 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 21/08/2013  Final
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MEDIA RELEASE
21 August 2013
Embargoed: 11.30 am Canberra Time
148/2013
120,000 fewer people ceasing their jobs

Approximately 2 million people ceased a job during the 12 months to February 2013, representing 16 per cent of those who worked at some time during the 12 month period, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

ABS Director of Labour Force, Cassandra Gligora said that the proportion of people who had ceased a job during that period decreased by one percentage point from 2012, or by nearly 120,000 people. This represents a return to a proportion similar to 2010.

"People cease a job for many reasons. The Labour Mobility survey found that four in 10 people left their last job involuntarily, and of these almost half had been working for their employer or business for less than 12 months (47 per cent). The most common reason for leaving was that the job was temporary or seasonal (58 per cent)", Ms Gligora said.

"The remaining six out of 10 people left their job voluntarily. They were more likely to have worked in that job for one year or more (68 per cent), and a third of these reported that they left the job to obtain a better job or better conditions, or that they wanted a change (34 per cent). Another quarter left to retire, to start a new business, or for other reasons.

"Over half of the people who ceased a job in the last 12 months were working at February 2013 (52 per cent).

"In addition to those who had changed their employer/business in the last 12 months, 22 per cent of the 7.6 million employees who had been with their employer for at least one year reported they had some change in their work during the last 12 months. 14 per cent had been promoted or had transferred to a different position, 11 per cent had changed the usual hours they worked, and two per cent had changed their occupation," Ms Gligora said.

Further details can be found in Labour Mobility, Australia, February 2013 (cat. no. 6209.0) available for free download from www.abs.gov.au.


Media note:
  • Employees excludes owner managers of incorporated enterprises and contributing family workers.
  • When reporting on these statistics, attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) as the source.