FEATURE ARTICLE - CHANGES IN TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT
FEATURE ARTICLE -MATURE AGE PEOPLE AND THE LABOUR FORCE
NOTES
DATA CONTAINED IN THIS ISSUE
The statistics shown are the latest available at 23 September 2004. Data sources for the tables in this publication are listed in Appendix 1.
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
The spreadsheets and data cubes referenced in this publication are available on the ABS web site at <https://www.abs.gov.au> [AusStats - Publications and Data], then [Data Cubes] or [Time Series Spreadsheets].
INQUIRIES
For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or the Assistant Director, Labour Market, on Canberra (02) 6252 7636.
LABOUR STATISTICS NEWS
RELEASE OF UPDATES TO CONCEPTS, SOURCES AND METHODS
Labour Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods is being updated. The current paper publication (cat. no. 6102.0) will not be rereleased. However, the web version (cat. no. 6102.0.55.001), which is available via the Labour Theme Page or the Statistical Concepts Library, is being updated on an ongoing basis. On August 26, the following chapters were updated: 6, 7, 19, 20.4, 20.5, 20.13, 20.17, 23, 29 and 30. Additional chapters will be updated later in 2004, and these will be announced in subsequent issues of this publication.
LABOUR THEME PAGE
The ABS Labour Theme Page, available on the ABS web site, provides a guide to the range of ABS statistics on the labour market, as well as links to the latest data released. To find the Theme Page, go to the ABS home page, then [Themes - People - Labour].
QUESTIONNAIRES USED IN THE LABOUR FORCE SURVEY
Information Paper: Questionnaires Used in the Labour Force Survey (cat. no. 6232.0), released on 26 August 2004, provides details of the latest Labour Force Survey questionnaire. Included are definitions, guidelines to following the questionnaire, and a copy of the questionnaire.
IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPUTER ASSISTED INTERVIEWING
In October 2003, the ABS began the progressive implementation of computer assisted interviewing (CAI) into the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The implementation of CAI is now complete, with 100% of interviews conducted in August 2004 using CAI.
During the implementation period, the ABS conducted a range of analyses on each month's data. These analyses confirmed that the change in interview method has not materially affected the aggregate estimates for any month.
RECENTLY RELEASED SOCIAL SURVEYS
Results from the 2002 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey were released on 23 June 2004. Final estimates from the 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers were released on 15 September 2004.
ANZSIC 2006 DEVELOPMENT
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) will be updated for use in the 2006 Census. Information Paper: ANZSIC 2006 Development (cat. no. 1294.0) presents information on the revised ANZSIC 2006 development. It is a useful reference for users as it provides an overview of the history of ANZSIC, rationale for the review, conceptual basis of the new classification, the new division structure, and the impact of the changes on ABS data. It also contains information on future developments such as communication strategy and critical dates for the implementation of ANZSIC 2006.
SUPPLEMENTARY SURVEYS ON LABOUR TOPICS
The Monthly Population Survey comprises the Labour Force Survey and a range of supplementary surveys, which provide detailed information on a range of topics. Results from the survey on labour mobility were recently released in Labour Mobility, Australia (cat. no. 6209.0).
THE ABS WEB SITE HAS CHANGED
From 28 August 2004, changes are being made to the ABS web site. This is being done to improve:
- navigation - how you get from A to B on the web site and how you find information;
- search - helping you to find the information you require;
- design - faster, efficient download time and greater consistency; and
- terminology - to make it easier for you to understand our information.
The only area of the web site that has not yet been changed is AusStats - it will be updated later in the year to reflect the new design. Changes to the rest of the site will not affect the use of AusStats.
Recent and upcoming statistical releases |
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Release date/title of publication | Reference period | Catalogue number | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
| ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
September 2004 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings | 2003 | 4430.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Family Characteristics, Australia | June 2003 | 4442.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Industrial Disputes, Australia | June quarter 2004 | 6321.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Job Vacancies, Australia | August 2004 | 6354.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia | August 2004 | 6202.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery | August 2004 | 6291.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Wage and Salary Earners, Public Sector, Australia | June quarter 2004 | 6248.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
October 2004 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Labour Market Statistics | October 2004 | 6105.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Information Paper: 2006 Census of Population and Housing, ABS Views on Census Output Strategy | 2006 | 2009.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia | September 2004 | 6202.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery | September 2004 | 6291.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
November 2004 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | 2006 Census of Population and Housing: Nature and Content | 2006 | 2008.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Average Weekly Earnings, Australia | August 2004 | 6302.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Household Income and Income Distribution, Australia | 2002-03 | 6523.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia | October 2004 | 6202.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery | October 2004 | 6291.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Price Index, Australia (formerly Wage Cost Index) | September quarter 2004 | 6345.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
December 2004 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Education and Work, Australia | May 2004 | 6227.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, Preliminary | May 2004 | 6305.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Industrial Disputes, Australia | September quarter 2004 | 6321.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia | November 2004 | 6202.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery | November 2004 | 6291.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Price Index: Concepts, Sources and Methods | 2004 | 6351.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Work in Selected Culture and Leisure Activities, Australia | April 2004 | 6281.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
January 2005 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Labour Market Statistics | January 2005 | 6105.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Job Search Experience, Australia | July 2004 | 6222.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Job Vacancies, Australia | November 2004 | 6354.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia | December 2004 | 6202.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery | December 2004 | 6291.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Wage and Salary Earners, Public Sector, Australia | September quarter 2004 | 6248.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Year Book Australia | 2005 | 1301.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
| ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
LABOUR MARKET SUMMARY
KEY MEASURES
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % change from
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Measure | Series type | Period | Current figure | Previous quarter(a) | Previous year(b) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
| ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Employed | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Persons | '000 | Trend | Aug 2004 | 9,663.6 | 0.1 | 2.1 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Full-time | '000 | Trend | Aug 2004 | 6,942.7 | 0.4 | 2.7 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Part-time | '000 | Trend | Aug 2004 | 2,720.9 | -0.6 | 0.5 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Part-time employment as a proportion of total employment | % | Trend | Aug 2004 | 28.2 | (c)-0.2 | (c)-0.4 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Unemployed | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Persons | '000 | Trend | Aug 2004 | 576.4 | 0.4 | -4.9 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Looking for full-time work | '000 | Trend | Aug 2004 | 414.5 | -1.3 | -7.8 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Looking for part-time work | '000 | Trend | Aug 2004 | 162.0 | 5.2 | 3.3 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Unemployment rate | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Persons | % | Trend | Aug 2004 | 5.6 | (c)0.0 | (c)-0.4 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Long-term unemployment | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Persons | '000 | Trend | Aug 2004 | 119.5 | -0.1 | -8.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | As a proportion of total unemployment | % | Trend | Aug 2004 | 20.7 | (c)-0.1 | (c)-0.7 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Annual labour underutilisation rates(d) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Long-term unemployment rate | % | Original | Sep 2003 | 1.3 | na | (c)-0.1 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Unemployment rate | % | Original | Sep 2003 | 5.9 | na | (c)-0.5 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Underemployment rate | % | Original | Sep 2003 | 5.6 | na | (c)-0.2 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour force underutilisation rate | % | Original | Sep 2003 | 11.5 | na | (c)-0.6 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Extended labour force underutilisation rate | % | Original | Sep 2003 | 12.5 | na | (c)-0.7 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Children living without an employed parent(e) | % | Original | Jun 2004 | 17.2 | na | (c)0.1 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Labour force participation rate | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Persons | % | Trend | Aug 2004 | 63.5 | (c)-0.1 | (c)0.1 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Actual hours worked | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Aggregate weekly hours | mill. hours | Original | Aug 2004 | 332.6 | -0.4 | 2.5 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Average weekly hours - Persons | hours | Original | Aug 2004 | 34.7 | 0.3 | 0.5 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Average weekly hours - Full-time | hours | Original | Aug 2004 | 41.9 | -0.2 | -0.1 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Average weekly hours - Part-time | hours | Original | Aug 2004 | 16.7 | 1.4 | 2.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Part-time workers | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Proportion who preferred to work more hours | % | Original | Aug 2004 | 26.1 | (c)0.3 | (c)0.8 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Wage cost index | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses | index no. | Trend | Jun qtr 2004 | 124.6 | 0.8 | 3.5 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Average weekly earnings | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Full-time adult ordinary time earnings | $ | Trend | May 2004 | 952.5 | 0.7 | 3.8 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | All employees total earnings | $ | Trend | May 2004 | 751.9 | 0.4 | 3.7 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Compensation of employees | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Household income account | $m | Trend | Jun qtr 2004 | 96,986.0 | 1.6 | 5.7 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Average earnings (National Accounts basis - nominal) per week | $ | Trend | Jun qtr 2004 | 899.0 | 0.6 | 3.3 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Industrial disputes | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Working days lost | '000 | Original | Jun qtr 2004 | 152.9 | 90.2 | 175.6 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Working days lost per 1,000 employees | number | Original | Jun qtr 2004 | 18.2 | 87.5 | 168.6 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Job vacancies | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | '000 | Trend | May 2004 | 123.6 | 9.2 | 16.6 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
| ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
na not available |
(a) Same period previous quarter (monthly data is presented for the middle month of each quarter). |
(b) Same period previous year. |
(c) Change is in percentage points. |
(d) See table 4.1 or the Glossary for further explanation of labour underutilisation rates. |
(e) As a proportion of all children aged under 15 years. See the Explanatory Notes for information on family data. |
EMPLOYMENT: TREND SERIES
Full-time and total employment
Males and females
![Graph: Trend employment for males and females](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/2910f350a73c949fca256f8100713861/Body/0.9B52!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT: TREND SERIES
Proportion of total employment, Males
Proportion of total employment, Females
![Graph: Trend female part-time employment as a proportion of total female employment](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/2910f350a73c949fca256f8100713861/Body/1.968!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: TREND SERIES
Males and females
![Graph: Trend unemployment rate for males and females](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/2910f350a73c949fca256f8100713861/Body/1.134A!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT: TREND SERIES
Proportion of total unemployment
![Graph: Long-term unemployment as a proportion of total unemployment, males and females](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/2910f350a73c949fca256f8100713861/Body/1.2258!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
UNDERUTILISED LABOUR
Labour underutilisation rates - 1994-2003
![Graph: Labour underutilisation rates—1994–2003](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/2910f350a73c949fca256f8100713861/Body/1.31A4!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
PARTICIPATION RATE: TREND SERIES
WAGE COST INDEX: TREND SERIES
Total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses, Quarterly change
![Graph: Total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses Quarterly change](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/2910f350a73c949fca256f8100713861/Body/2.1C8C!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS: TREND SERIES
Full-time adult ordinary time earnings, Quarterly change
All employees total earnings, Level
![Graph: All employees total earnings, level](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/2910f350a73c949fca256f8100713861/Body/2.38C4!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES: ORIGINAL SERIES
Working days lost, Quarter ending
![Graph: Working days lost Quarter ending](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/2910f350a73c949fca256f8100713861/Body/2.4780!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
JOB VACANCIES: TREND SERIES
Job vacancies, By sector