Participation and Employment

Improved levels of labour force participation and productivity are vital to maintaining living standards and economic growth. The workforce needs of Western Australia and Australia as a whole will change as the economy undergoes cyclical upturns and downturns. This research theme informs the development of policies aimed at meeting workforce needs and promoting productivity in WA and nationally. Examples include labour market barriers and opportunities faced by disadvantaged groups in society, such as low-skilled individuals and the long-term unemployed; the role that skilled migration plays in meeting changing workforce needs; and changing labour market conditions in WA.

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The impact of minimum wages on overall health and well-being: Global evidence from the Gallup World Poll Panagiotis Sotirakopoulos, Cahit Guven, Aydogan Ulker, Carol Graham Highlights We examine how minimum wage increases impact overall health and well-being. Our analysis uses Gallup World Poll data (2009–2020) from 87 countries worldwide. Higher minimum wages improve health and certain aspects of well-being. The effects likely arise from both... Read article 15 April 2025Journal Articles Read More
The costs and benefits of implementing a universal reproductive health leave entitlement in Australia Alan Duncan, Abebe Hailemariam, Silvia Salazar, Panagiotis Sotirakopoulos The Health Services Union (HSU), the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) and Aware Super have engaged the services of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) to assess the cost of implementing a universal... Read article 9 April 2025Research Reports Read More
Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Annual Report 2024 Alan Duncan, Caroline Stewart, Joanna Holcombe In 2024, the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre made significant strides in building its national reputation while continuing to address key economic and social issues in Western Australia. Our research and policy advice gained greater visibility and influence at both state... Read article 7 April 2025Annual Report Read More
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – February 2025 Michael Dockery, Alan Duncan — Surprise 52,800 drop in the number of persons employed. — — Unemployment rate remains at 4.1 per cent thanks to big drop in participation. — — Direction of labour market difficult to read amidst volatility and revisions to previous... Read article 23 March 2025Monthly Labour Market Update Read More
Executive Summary: Youth in Focus: Navigating wellbeing in a changing world Michael Dockery, Alan Duncan, Astghik Mavisakalyan, Valentina Sanchez Arenas, Chris Twomey, Lili Loan Vu This Executive Summary is a printable summary of the key findings and recommendations from the BCEC report, Youth in Focus: Navigating wellbeing in a changing world, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the priorities and perspectives of young Australians, offering... Read article 13 March 2025Focus on The States Read More
Youth in Focus: Navigating wellbeing in a changing world Michael Dockery, Alan Duncan, Astghik Mavisakalyan, Valentina Sanchez Arenas, Chris Twomey, Lili Loan Vu Youth in Focus: Navigating wellbeing in a changing world, the eleventh report in the BCEC Focus on the States series, provides a comprehensive analysis of the priorities and perspectives of young Australians, offering key insights to shape future policy development.... Read article 13 March 2025Focus on The States Read More