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.
Related Projects
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WA Women’s Report Card 2022
Indigenous Employment Index
WA Women’s Report Card 2019
Evolution and Future Growth of Stem Skills in the WA Workforce
Maximising the potential of employees with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Housing tenure, mobility and labour market adjustments
Related Publications
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BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – August 2023
— Strong growth in part-time jobs keeps unemployment rate steady at 3.7 per cent as participation rises. — — Female employment rebounds from July slide. — — Australia’s labour force participation rate hits all time high of 67.0 per cent.... Read article
— Strong growth in part-time jobs keeps unemployment rate steady at 3.7 per cent as participation rises. — — Female employment rebounds from July slide. — — Australia’s labour force participation rate hits all time high of 67.0 per cent.... Read article
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – July 2023
— Employment stagnates, unemployment rate rises from 3.5 per cent to 3.7 per cent. — — Real wages remain low, little prospect for growth in coming quarters. — — Data only weaker for women, and may not reflect a general... Read article
— Employment stagnates, unemployment rate rises from 3.5 per cent to 3.7 per cent. — — Real wages remain low, little prospect for growth in coming quarters. — — Data only weaker for women, and may not reflect a general... Read article
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – June 2023
— NSW unemployment rate hits record low as eastern states continue to drive strong labour market. — — Labour market absorbing growth in the working-age population of 50,000 persons every month, with little sign of labour demand weakening. — —... Read article
— NSW unemployment rate hits record low as eastern states continue to drive strong labour market. — — Labour market absorbing growth in the working-age population of 50,000 persons every month, with little sign of labour demand weakening. — —... Read article
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – May 2023
— Eastern seaboard jobs surge defies monetary policy tightening. — — Unemployment rate drops 0.1ppt to 3.6 per cent. — — Labour force participation rate and rate of growth of working-age population hit new highs. — — Odds have shortened... Read article
— Eastern seaboard jobs surge defies monetary policy tightening. — — Unemployment rate drops 0.1ppt to 3.6 per cent. — — Labour force participation rate and rate of growth of working-age population hit new highs. — — Odds have shortened... Read article
Women’s work: myth or reality? Occupational feminism and women’s job satisfaction in Australia
Data on men and women’s job satisfaction conditional upon the degree of feminisation of their occupation are used to explore potential causes of occupational segregation by gender in the Australian labour market. We find some evidence for the notion of... Read article
Data on men and women’s job satisfaction conditional upon the degree of feminisation of their occupation are used to explore potential causes of occupational segregation by gender in the Australian labour market. We find some evidence for the notion of... Read article
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – April 2023
— Employment falls and unemployment rate rises, but no clear signs of a slowdown as vacancies and hours worked increase in April 2023. — — Nominal wages rise but real wages continue to fall as wage growth fails to keep... Read article
— Employment falls and unemployment rate rises, but no clear signs of a slowdown as vacancies and hours worked increase in April 2023. — — Nominal wages rise but real wages continue to fall as wage growth fails to keep... Read article
The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre team acknowledges the Wadjuk Nyungar people as the traditional owners of the land on which the Centre is situated.