Insights into hours worked, July 2022

Released
18/08/2022

The ABS will continue to monitor changes in hours worked and provide additional analysis when relevant.

Key findings

Hours worked decreased by 15.6 million hours (-0.8%) in seasonally adjusted terms between June and July 2022, and employment decreased by 40,900 people (-0.3%). Throughout the pandemic, the hours worked series shows larger short-term changes compared to the employed series, given that employees may have been away from paid work for a short period without losing their job.

The July reference period coincided with the winter school holidays, worker absences associated with COVID and other illnesses, and further flooding events in New South Wales.

Chart 1 shows that, despite the volatility in recent years, both the hours worked series and employment series have recovered above their pre-pandemic levels, with hours increasing 4.0% and employment increasing 4.3% since March 2020.

Source: Labour Force, Australia Tables 1 and 19

Chart 2 shows disruptions in July from winter school holidays, illness related absences and weather events have all impacted on people working fewer hours than usual.

Source: Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2a and Table 1

People working fewer hours than usual due to their own illness or injury or sick leave

Chart 3 shows the number of people working fewer hours due to illness decreased 26,800 people to 750,000 people, between June and July 2022, but remained at elevated levels. 

Source: Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2a

Chart 4 shows that the number of people aged 55 years and over who worked fewer hours than usual due to illness was at its series high in July 2022 (158,400 people). There was a slight increase for people aged 15 to 24 years, and a decrease for people aged 25 to 54 years, between June and July 2022.

Source:  Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2a

Chart 5 shows the proportion of people working reduced hours due to illness was elevated in all states and territories in July 2022, compared to recent Julys.

Source:  Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2b and Table 12

People working fewer hours than usual due to bad weather or plant breakdown

Chart 6 shows people working fewer hours due to bad weather or plant breakdown increased in July 2022, in line with flooding events in New South Wales during this time. The large increase from flooding events in early 2022 are also evident.

Source: Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2a

Chart 7 shows the impact by the recent floods in New South Wales.

Source: Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2b

People working fewer hours than usual due to annual leave, holidays, flextime or long service leave

Chart 8 shows the percentage of people working fewer hours due to annual leave, flextime or long service leave. The increase in July 2022 was similar to previous July time points which coincide with school holiday periods.

Source: Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2a and Table 1

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