Statistics on hours and patterns of work are essential for the study of economic activity, productivity, working conditions, living standards and the quality of life of working people. This section examines some aspects of work patterns and hours of work.
The average weekly hours worked in 2000-01 by various categories of employed persons, and in different industries, are shown in tables 6.34 and 6.35. In 2000-01 men worked an average of 38.6 hours per week, while women worked 28.3 hours per week. The difference between males and females is less marked when full-time and part-time work are looked at separately. Male full-time workers worked an average of 42.1 hours per week while women who were employed full-time averaged 37.9 hours per week. For part-time workers, the difference between men and women is minimal, with men working on average 15.6 hours and women working 15.8 hours. Although part-time work is increasing, the hours worked in part-time employment account for only 12% of all hours worked. For women, part-time work accounts for 24% of aggregate hours worked, but for men it accounts for just 5%.
6.34 EMPLOYED PERSONS, Aggregate and Average Weekly Hours Worked(a)(b),
Annual Average(c) - 2000–01
|
| | | | |
| Units | Males | Females | Persons |
|
Aggregate weekly hours worked by | | | | |
All workers - | mill. hours | 196.6 | 113.5 | 310.1 |
- Full-time workers | mill. hours | 186.1 | 85.9 | 271.9 |
- Part-time workers | mill. hours | 10.5 | 27.6 | 38.2 |
Average weekly hours worked by | | | | |
All workers - | hours | 38.6 | 28.3 | 34.0 |
- Full-time workers | hours | 42.1 | 37.9 | 40.7 |
- Part-time workers | hours | 15.6 | 15.8 | 15.7 |
- Employees | hours | 37.8 | 28.4 | 33.5 |
- Other than employees | hours | 42.4 | 27.3 | 37.4 |
| | | | |
All workers who worked one hour or more in the reference week | hours | 41.3 | 30.6 | 36.6 |
Full-time workers who worked one hour or more in the reference week | hours | 45.0 | 40.7 | 43.6 |
Part-time workers who worked one hour or more in the reference week | hours | 16.7 | 17.2 | 17.1 |
|
(a) Data have not been revised to reflect definitional changes in the Labour Force Survey questionnaire introduced in April 2001. Data collected from April 2001 onwards are not strictly comparable with data collected in earlier periods. For further information, see Information Paper: Implementing the Redesigned Labour Force Survey Questionnaire (6295.0).
(b) The estimates refer to actual hours worked, not hours paid for.
(c) Averages calculated on monthly estimates. |
Source: Labour Force Australia (6203.0). |
In 2000-01 the highest average weekly hours worked were recorded in the Mining industry (45.8 hours). For females the average weekly hours worked ranged from 22.8 in the Construction industry to 40.1 in Mining, while the average weekly hours worked for males ranged from 34.5 in the Cultural and recreational services industry to 47.5 in Agriculture, forestry and fishing (table 6.35).
6.35 EMPLOYED PERSONS, Average Weekly Hours Worked(a)(b) by Industry(c),
Annual Average(d) - 2000-01 |
|
Industry | Males
hours | Females
hours | Persons
hours |
|
Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 47.5 | 30.5 | 42.2 |
Mining | 46.5 | 40.1 | 45.8 |
Manufacturing | 40.8 | 33.0 | 38.7 |
Electricity, gas and water supply | 39.2 | 32.0 | 38.0 |
Construction | 41.0 | 22.8 | 38.7 |
Wholesale trade | 42.0 | 32.7 | 39.2 |
Retail trade | 36.3 | 25.1 | 30.5 |
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants | 38.2 | 28.4 | 32.9 |
Transport and storage | 42.4 | 33.0 | 40.1 |
Communication services | 40.0 | 32.7 | 37.8 |
Finance and insurance | 41.3 | 32.8 | 36.5 |
Property and business services | 41.6 | 31.1 | 36.9 |
Government administration and defence | 37.0 | 31.7 | 34.5 |
Education | 38.6 | 32.0 | 34.2 |
Health and community services | 37.4 | 28.8 | 30.7 |
Cultural and recreational services | 34.5 | 27.7 | 31.3 |
Personal and other services | 38.4 | 28.7 | 33.6 |
All industries | 40.3 | 29.6 | 35.6 |
|
(a) Data have not been revised to reflect definitional changes in the Labour Force Survey questionnaire introduced in April 2001. Data collected from April 2001 onwards are not strictly comparable with data collected in earlier periods. For further information, see Information Paper: Implementing the Redesigned Labour Force Survey Questionnaire (6295.0).
(b) The estimates refer to actual hours worked, not hours paid for.
(c) Classified according to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC).
(d) Averages calculated on quarterly estimates. |
Source: Labour Force Australia (6203.0). |