4409.3 - Ageing Well, Queensland, 2005  
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Contents >> Employed persons & Persons not in the labour force

EMPLOYMENT
Satisfying and rewarding work can contribute to an individual's sense of purpose, identity and self worth. Work allows individuals to contribute to their community and can enhance their skills, social networks and identity. Paid work is a major source of economic resources and security for most individuals. People without paid work may be at risk of poverty and isolation. People's wages, working conditions, job tenure, and the amount of opportunity or risk associated with their work, can also affect their wellbeing.

In March 2005, 1,981,200 Queenslanders were employed. This represented 63% of the civilian population aged 15 years and over and 95% of the labour force (persons who were employed or unemployed). Both proportions had increased between March 1985 and March 2005.

Although most of those employed were working full-time hours (72%), this proportion had decreased since March 1985 (82%).

While the proportion of the civilian population employed has increased for all age groups, it was highest for persons aged 15-49 (77%). There was a lower proportion for those aged 50-64 years (63%) and the proportion for persons aged 65 years and over (7.9%) was the lowest.

The proportion of the civilian population not in the labour force was highest for persons aged 65 years and over (92%). In contrast, 35% of persons aged 50-64 years and 19% of persons aged 18-49 years were not in the labour force.

The proportion of persons not in the labour force had decreased from March 1985 to March 2005 for all age groups.



3.1 LABOUR FORCE STATUS, by age - Queensland
15-49 years
50-64 years
65 years and over
Total persons 15 years
and over
March
March
March
March
1985
1995
2005
1985
1995
2005
1985
1995
2005
1985
1995
2005
'000
MALES
Employed
525.1
684.4
820.5
112.0
151.7
245.6
9.6
13.7
24.9
646.7
849.8
1091.0
Full- Time
493.2
609.7
710.3
105.2
136.6
210.8
5.9
8.9
10.9
604.3
755.2
932.1
Part- Time
31.9
74.7
110.1
6.8
15.2
34.8
3.7
4.8
14.0
42.4
94.7
158.9
Unemployed
67.9
76.4
40.0
8.1
11.4
6.9
0.2
-
0.6
76.2
87.8
47.5
Labour Force
593.0
760.8
860.5
120.1
163.2
252.5
9.7
13.7
25.5
722.8
937.7
1138.5
Not in Labour Force
72.5
101.4
120.2
50.8
59.2
92.4
101.8
146.0
194.1
225.1
306.6
406.7
Civilian Population
665.5
862.2
980.7
170.9
222.3
344.9
111.5
159.6
219.5
947.9
1244.1
1545.1
FEMALES
Employed
345.6
552.3
693.2
42.0
85.9
184.2
2.5
5.4
12.9
390.1
643.6
890.3
Full- Time
220.3
311.9
375.9
22.9
45.4
105.8
0.5
2.5
3.3
243.7
359.8
485.0
Part- Time
125.3
240.5
317.2
19.1
40.6
78.4
1.9
2.9
9.6
146.3
284.0
405.2
Unemployed
46.8
66.2
45.8
2.3
4.5
5.5
-
-
0.3
49.1
70.7
51.5
Labour Force
392.4
618.6
738.9
44.3
90.4
189.6
2.5
5.4
13.2
439.2
714.4
941.8
Not in Labour Force
257.1
237.1
247.5
124.0
121.9
149.8
142.3
193.9
243.4
523.4
552.9
640.7
Civilian Population
649.5
855.7
986.4
168.3
212.3
339.4
144.7
199.3
256.7
962.5
1267.3
1582.5
PERSONS
Employed
870.7
1236.7
1513.7
154.0
237.6
429.8
12.1
19.1
37.8
1036.8
1493.4
1981.2
Full- Time
713.5
921.6
1086.2
128.1
182.0
316.6
6.4
11.4
14.2
848.0
1115.0
1417.1
Part- Time
157.2
315.2
427.3
25.9
55.8
113.2
5.6
7.7
23.6
188.7
378.7
564.1
Unemployed
114.7
142.6
85.8
10.4
15.9
12.4
0.2
-
0.9
125.3
158.5
99.1
Labour Force
985.4
1,379.4
1,599.4
164.4
253.6
442.1
12.2
19.1
38.7
1162.0
1652.1
2080.3
Not in Labour Force
329.6
338.5
367.7
174.8
181.1
242.2
244.1
339.9
437.5
748.5
859.5
1047.4
Civilian Population
1315.0
1717.9
1967.1
339.2
434.6
684.3
256.2
358.9
476.2
1910.4
2511.4
3127.7
Source: ABS data available on request, Labour Force, Australia, March 2005 (cat. no. 6201.0).


LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION
The labour force participation rate for any group within the population is the labour force component of that population, expressed as a percentage of the total population of that group.

The labour force participation rate for males aged 50-64 years had minimal change between March 1985 (70%) and March 2005 (73%). In contrast, the rate for females had more than doubled from 27% in March 1985 to 56% in March 2005.

      3.2 LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE, by persons aged 50-64 years - Queensland
Graph, LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE, by persons aged 50-64 years by sex, Queensland


JOB MOBILITY
An estimated 1,956,200 persons in Queensland aged 15 to 69 years had worked at some time during the year ending February 2004. Of these, 16% were job mobile (that is, they changed their employer and/or their locality at least once within the previous year).

The proportion of persons who were job mobile decreased as their age increased. While 25% and 20% of persons aged 15 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years respectively were job mobile, proportions fell to 14% for persons aged 35 to 44 years, and to 8.9% and 7.1% for persons in the 45 to 54 years and 55 to 69 years age groups respectively.

      3.3 JOB MOBILITY BY AGE, Queensland - February 2004
      Job mobile
      Changed employer and/or business
      Changed locality only
      Total job mobile
      Did not change employer or business or locality
      Total(a)
      Age groups
      %
      %
      %
      %
      '000
      15 to 24 years
      23.2
      2.0
      25.1
      74.8
      407.4
      25 to 34 years
      16.8
      3.5
      20.3
      79.7
      439.7
      35 to 44 years
      11.1
      2.8
      13.9
      86.1
      458.9
      45 to 54 years
      7.4
      1.5
      8.9
      91.1
      419.1
      55 to 69 years
      5.4
      *1.6
      7.1
      92.9
      231.2
      Total 15 to 69 years
      13.5
      2.4
      15.8
      84.2
      1,956.2
      * estimate has a relative standard error of between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution
      (a) Persons who worked at some time during the year ending February 2004.

      Source: ABS data available on request, Labour Mobility, February 2004 (cat. no. 6209.0).


PERSONS NOT IN THE LABOUR FORCE
The civilian population aged 15–69 years can be split into two mutually exclusive groups: the labour force (employed and unemployed persons) and persons not in the labour force.

People can be out of the labour force for many reasons both voluntary and involuntary and the effect on an individual's wellbeing could be dependent on those reasons.

In September 2004, there were 387,300 persons aged 45–69 years who were not in the labour force, in Queensland.

Females accounted for 61% of all persons aged 45-69 years not in the labour force and there were more females than males in all age groups.

Proportions of females not in the labour force increased after the age of 45-54 years. In Queensland, 23% of females aged 45-54 years, 48% of those aged 55 to 59 years, 70% of those aged 60 to 64 years and 91% of females aged 65 to 69 years were not in the labour force.

The trend for males was similar and ranged from 10% of those aged 45-54 years to 76% of males aged 65-69 years. The greatest difference between males and females was between those aged 55-59 years. Almost half of all females in this age group were not in the labour force compared with a quarter of males.

3.4 PROPORTION OF POPULATION NOT IN THE LABOUR FORCE, by age, September 2004 - Queensland
Graph, PROPORTION OF POPULATION NOT IN THE LABOUR FORCE, by age groups, by sex September 2004, Queensland



TIME SINCE LAST JOB
In Queensland in September 2004, 86% of persons not in the labour force reported having had a job at some time in their lives. The proportion for females was higher (88%) than for males (82%). Males aged 55-59 years were most likely to have had a job (100%) and males aged 15-44 years were least likely (55%).

Generally, the proportions of persons in each 'time since last job' category were evenly spread, ranging from a high of 17% for persons whose last job was 5 and under 10 years ago to a low of 12% for persons whose last job was 20 years or more ago.

However, there were differences between males and females and between age groups, particularly the oldest and youngest age groups. Persons aged 15-44 years were more likely to have had a job under 12 months ago than persons aged 65-69 years.

Generally, males had a more recent job experience than females.

The majority of males aged 65-69 years (52%) had last had a job 5 and under 20 years ago compared with females of that age (42%). The last job for most females aged 65-69 years (61%) was either 10 and under 20 years ago (23%) or 20 years or more ago (38%).

3.5 TIME SINCE LAST JOB BY AGE, Persons not in the labour force, September 2004 - Queensland
15-44 years
45-54 years
55-59 years
60-64 years
65-69 years
Total 15-69 years
%
%
%
%
%
%
MALES
Had a job
55.4
96.4
100.0
99.2
99.4
82.4
Under twelve months
23.2
21.0
20.2
12.3
*5.1
16.8
1 and under 3 years
12.9
*17.9
26.3
12.1
14.9
15.3
3 and under 5 years
5.9
*11.4
19.2
23.0
16.5
13.4
5 and under 10 years
6.4
26.4
*16.4
23.2
28.2
17.4
10 and under 20 years
6.2
*11.9
*14.5
22.6
23.6
14.5
20 years or more
**0.8
*7.8
**3.4
*6.1
11.0
5.0
Never had a job
44.6
**3.6
-
**0.8
**0.6
17.6
Total ('000)
93.4
26.7
29.7
44.5
52.1
246.4
FEMALES
Had a job
79.0
97.4
98.4
96.5
93.3
88.0
Under twelve months
24.2
9.5
10.4
*3.5
**1.6
14.9
1 and under 3 years
15.3
17.5
10.6
13.8
*7.1
13.8
3 and under 5 years
13.8
15.3
10.6
11.3
*4.7
12.1
5 and under 10 years
14.0
19.7
23.2
15.5
19.0
16.7
10 and under 20 years
9.0
20.3
18.9
22.8
22.8
15.3
20 years or more
2.7
15.2
24.7
29.6
38.1
15.2
Never had a job
21.0
*2.6
**1.6
*3.5
*6.7
12.0
Total ('000)
219.3
60.5
55.0
59.4
59.4
453.6
PERSONS
Had a job
72.0
97.1
99.0
97.7
96.1
86.0
Under twelve months
23.9
13.0
13.8
7.3
*3.3
15.6
1 and under 3 years
14.6
17.6
16.1
13.1
10.7
14.3
3 and under 5 years
11.5
14.1
13.6
16.3
10.2
12.6
5 and under 10 years
11.7
21.7
20.8
18.8
23.3
17.0
10 and under 20 years
8.2
17.7
17.4
22.7
23.2
15.0
20 years or more
2.2
12.9
17.2
19.5
25.5
11.6
Never had a job
28.0
*2.9
**1.0
*2.3
*3.9
14.0
Total ('000)
312.7
87.2
84.6
103.9
111.5
700.0
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.

Source: ABS data available on request, Persons not in the labour force, (cat. no. 6220.0).


REASONS FOR CEASING LAST JOB
In September 2004, 86% of the 700,000 persons aged 15–69 years not in the labour force in Queensland had had a job at some time in their lives. The reasons for ceasing their last job reported by these persons were categorised into those given by 'Job leavers' and those given by 'Job losers'.

Most (58%) persons aged 15–69 years not in the labour force were categorised as 'Job leavers' as compared with 28% who were 'Job losers'.

The difference between the proportion of those who had lost a job and those who had left a job was greater for females with 65% 'Job leavers' and 23% 'Job losers'. A further 12% of females reported that they had never had a job.

Females aged 65-69 years were the most likely to be 'Job leavers', with 75% of females in that age group reporting they had left their last job.

In comparison, males aged 15-44 years were the least likely to be 'job leavers' (31%). Males of this age group reported that they were more likely never to have had a job (45%) than lose or leave a job.

Reasons for losing last job
In September 2004, the most commonly reported reason for losing a job for all persons aged 15-69 years was own ill health or injury. However there was a marked difference in the proportion of males and females who gave this reason for ceasing their last job. Approximately 1 in 5 males gave this reason compared with 1 in 10 females.

Reasons for leaving last job
The most commonly reported reason for leaving a job for males aged 15-69 years was because they retired or did not want to work any longer. The most common reason for females aged 15-69 years was to get married or to have children or because they were pregnant.

The most commonly reported reason for leaving a job varied by age group.

From the age of 55 years onwards, the most common reason for leaving last job reported by males was because they retired or did not want to work any longer. The proportion (48%) of males aged 65-69 years giving this reason for ceasing their last job was more than double the proportion reported by males aged 55-59 years (23%) and 60-64 years (21%).

The most common reason for leaving last job reported by females was to get married or to have children or because they were pregnant. In September 2004, 38% of females aged 15-44 years, 20% of those aged 45-54 years and 18% of females aged 55-59 years.

The most common reason for ceasing their last job for females aged 60-64 years old (25%) and those aged 65-69 years old (31%) was because they retired or did not want to work any longer.


3.6 REASONS FOR CEASING LAST JOB BY AGE, Persons not in the labour force, September 2004 - Queensland
15-44 years
%
45-54 years
%
55-59 years
%
60-64 years
%
65-69 years
%
Total 15-69 years
%
MALES
Job loser
24.5
52.6
48.4
55.6
31.7
37.6
Job was temporary or seasonal
5.7
*5.3
**3.3
*4.7
*5.3
5.1
Own ill health or injury
13.2
31.6
33.1
30.0
15.5
21.1
Retrenched, employer went out of business or business closed down for economic reasons
5.6
*15.7
*12
20.9
10.9
11.3

Job leaver

30.9

43.8

51.6

43.7

67.7

44.9
Business closed down for other reasons
**0.4
-
**0.9
*3.4
**1.4
*1.2
Retired, did not want to work any longer
-
*6.4
23.3
20.5
47.8
17.3
Own disability or handicap
9.0
*16.5
*14.8
*10.9
11.1
11.3
To get married, pregnancy or to have children
-
-
-
-
-
-
To look after family, house or someone else
*2.3
*9.2
*5.3
*3.5
*4.0
4.0
To have holidays, moved house or spouse transfer
*2.4
**3.9
**3
**1.9
**2.0
2.5
Other (a)
16.8
*7.9
**4.3
*3.5
**1.4
8.7
Had never had a job
44.6
**3.6
-
**0.8
**0.6
17.6
Total ('000)
93.4
26.7
29.7
44.5
52.1
246.4
FEMALES
Job loser
18.5
32.9
29.1
26.0
18.7
22.7
Job was temporary or seasonal
7.8
*5.6
*3.3
*3.9
*2.4
5.8
Own ill health or injury
2.6
18.9
19.7
12.7
13.0
9.5
Retrenched, employer went out of business or business closed down for economic reasons
8.1
8.3
6.1
9.5
3.3
7.4

Job leaver

60.6

64.5

69.3

70.5

74.6

65.3
Business closed down for other reasons
**0.5
*3.0
*2.8
*2.8
**1.3
1.5
Retired, did not want to work any longer
*0.8
*7.3
15.3
25.4
31.0
10.6
Own disability or handicap
**0.6
*5.8
*8.4
**2.0
*3.0
2.7
To get married, pregnancy or to have children
37.6
20.3
18.1
14.6
16.6
27.2
To look after family, house or someone else
4.8
12.0
11.5
8.5
10.2
7.8
To have holidays, moved house or spouse transfer
6.6
8.5
*8.3
10.1
10.1
8.0
Other (a)
9.7
*7.6
*4.9
*7.1
*2.5
7.6
Had never had a job
21.0
*2.6
**1.6
*3.5
*6.7
12.0
Total ('000)
219.3
60.5
55.0
59.4
59.4
453.6
PERSONS
Job loser
20.3
38.9
35.9
38.7
24.8
27.9
Job was temporary or seasonal
7.2
*5.5
*3.3
*4.2
*3.8
5.5
Own ill health or injury
5.8
22.8
24.4
20.1
14.2
13.6
Retrenched, employer went out of business or business closed down for economic reasons
7.3
10.6
8.2
14.4
6.8
8.8

Job leaver

51.7

58.2

63.1

59.0

71.4

58.1
Business closed down for other reasons
*0.5
*2.1
*2.1
*3.1
*1.3
1.4
Retired, did not want to work any longer
*0.5
7.0
18.1
23.3
38.8
12.9
Own disability or handicap
3.1
9.1
10.6
5.8
6.8
5.7
To get married, pregnancy or to have children
26.4
14.1
11.7
8.4
8.9
17.6
To look after family, house or someone else
4.0
11.2
9.3
6.3
7.3
6.4
To have holidays, moved house or spouse transfer
5.4
7.1
6.4
6.6
6.3
6.0
Other (a)
11.8
7.7
*4.7
5.6
*2.0
8.0
Had never had a job
28.0
*2.9
**1.0
*2.3
*3.9
14.0
Total ('000)
312.7
87.2
84.6
103.9
111.5
700.0
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.

(a) Comprises Returned to studies, Unsatisfactory work arrangements and Other reasons.

Source: ABS data available on request, Persons not in the labour force, (cat. no. 6220.0).


The highest proportions of persons not in the labour force aged 15-69 years were those whose main activity was home duties or caring for children. This was the most commonly reported main activity for persons aged 15-44 years (50%), 45-54 years (50%) and 55-59 years (33%). It was the second most commonly reported main activity for persons aged 60-64 years (29%) and persons aged 65-69 years (20%).

The main activity of persons aged 60-64 years (36%) and those aged 65-69 years (59%) was retired or voluntarily inactive.

TABLE 3.7 MAIN ACTIVITY BY AGE, Persons not in the labour force, Queensland - September 2004
15-44 years
%
45-54 years
%
55-59 years
%
60-64 years
%
65-69 years
%
Total 15-69 years
%
Retired or voluntarily inactive
*0.7
8.2
25.7
36.4
58.6
19.1
Home duties or childcare
50.0
49.7
33.0
29.0
19.6
40.0
Attending an educational institution
35.1
**1.5
**1.3
-
-
16.1
Own disability or handicap
4.7
11.1
13.4
9.5
*3.0
7.0
Own illness or injury
4.4
13.3
13.6
10.3
*3.5
7.3
Looking after ill or disabled person
1.7
6.3
5.9
5.5
*2.9
3.5
Travel, holiday or leisure activity
*0.8
5.6
*3.6
*3.7
8.0
3.3
Working in unpaid voluntary job
*0.6
*2.0
*2.2
*4.3
*3.5
2.0
Other
2.0
*2.4
**1.4
**1.2
**1.0
1.7
Total ('000)
312.7
87.2
84.6
103.9
111.5
700.0
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.

Source: ABS data available on request, Persons not in the labour force, (cat. no. 6220.0).



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The data on this page were last updated on 21 July 2005.



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