The Casualisation of the Aussie Workforce

Since 1992 the proportion of 15 to 24-year-old workers employed in casual roles --- either part timers or those working full time without leave entitlements --- has increased from 41 percent to 58 percent. Other age groups are experiencing the same sort of shift as employers take on more contract workers. The question is, how much of this shift reflects the choice of the employees?

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This graph shows people employed in full-time jobs without paid leave entitlements and in part-time gigs. It reflects people employed in casual or contract-style roles. The majority of the remainder have a full-time job where the pay doesn't stop when they go on holiday. Remember when we used to think that was normal?

Well, it's far from normal with those in their late teens, but that's to be expected; and yes, once they move into the 20-24 age group a full-time job with paid leave entitlements is the dominant form of employment, but it is under attack. For men in this age group this kind of job has fallen in number by 40 thousand since 1992, whilst the total employed figure increased by 66 thousand. It's the same story with the women --- a 13 percent drop in those kind of jobs, but a 17 percent increase in the total number employed.

Only when we hit the mid twenties do we see the actual number of full time jobs with leave entitlements increase, and the proportional drop has been slight --- from 68 per cent of all jobs in 1991 to 66 percent in 2009.

Women are slightly more committed to this type of work at this stage of life (25-29 years) --- of those who are working, 75 percent had a full time job with leave in 2009. Back in 1991 this fell away markedly in the 30-34 age group. Then just 55 percent of women were in full time jobs with leave, but last year it had risen to 73 percent. Now there is a drop (to 65 percent) for women aged 35-39, presumably reflecting the later age at which many choose to raise a family.

So this could all be be choice? The younger end of Gen Y don't want to commit to a full time job, so they're going for casual roles. Mums want to work, but on their terms. Casualisation of the workforce might be a good thing.

Does the choice stop at 40?
I suspect the option for flexibility does run out later on in life. The number of part time workers aged 40-59 has doubled since 1991, while the workforce increased by less than 60 percent. People are now 2.3 times more likely to be working full time without any leave entitlement compared to back then --- not a choice most would make at that stage in life. Once you get over 60 you're four times more likely to be working full time without leave. At that point, if you are still working, you're in a minority if you've got a full time job with paid leave.

So if you're eeking out a little more job security --- if you want that full time gig with paid leave --- where should you go? Well the Northern Territory seems to be your answer, closely followed by the ACT. In both cases more than 60 percent of workers fit the bill, compared to about 50 percent of the working population in the major states. NSW and Victoria have seen the biggest drop in the proportion of people employed this way (from 58 percent in 1991 to 51 percent in 2009).

And go for a job in mining or utilities. Up to 2007 (latest available figures) more than 80 percent of people in those industries still had a full time job with leave entitlements, whilst the hardest hit have been communications and finance. Not surprisingly agriculture (14 percent) and the retail trade (34 percent) are sectors to avoid if you crave the full-time gig with holiday pay.

Dive into the statistics yourself and explore more about our changing workforce habits.