The Australian workplace is changing, as businesses employ more cost effective part-time workers, according to a new report by IBISWorld. The study shows over the past five years, flexible employment has risen 2.8 percent a year, much faster than full-time job growth of 1.5 percent.
“Many savvy Australian employers are using work-life balance to attract and retain staff, boost morale and increase productivity,” said IBISWorld General Manager (Australia), Karen Dobie.
The global research firm expects this trend to continue, predicting flexible jobs growth of 2.8 percent per year, over the next five years, compared with full-time growth of 1.8 percent per year.
“Administrative and support services are leading growth for part-time and flexible working contracts; followed by professional, scientific and technical services; then health care and social assistance,” said Dobie.
As expected, the retail sector hires the most part-time staff. But there’s also a growing trend of part-time workers in the resources sector.
“The numbers of mining workers now flying in to work for block periods and then flying out again for leave, for example on a three weeks on and one week off arrangement, is growing exponentially,” said Dobie.
“This allows mining professionals to support their family in a metropolitan area with good schools and housing, and fly to where the work – and the money – is.”