Perspectives on Regional Australia
Perspectives on Regional Australia is a new series of reports analysing issues with a particular focus on regional Australia. The first in the series, Women’s Employment in Urban, Rural and Regional Australia, uses 2001 Census data to provide an insight into the different employment patterns for women across Australia.
Women in rural and regional Australia contribute substantially to regional economies through their participation in the labour force.
Structural changes in the Australian economy over the last few decades have allowed more women to enter the workforce or to combine work with family responsibilities. However employment opportunities for women in rural and regional areas may not be as good as for those in urban areas due to smaller and less diverse local economies.
The report finds that between 1991 and 2001, female participation in the labour force increased in each type of geographical region - major urban areas, medium townships, small townships, and rural areas.
Women in major urban areas are more likely to have higher educational qualifications and are less likely to be working part-time. Women in rural areas are more likely to be self-employed. Much of this can be attributed to women running the family farm, either as individuals or in a partnership.
More information can be found in Perspectives on Regional Australia: Women’s Employment in Urban, Rural and Regional Australia, 2001 Census (cat. no. 1380.0.55.001).
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