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Casualisation of work and inequality in the Australian labour market

Author

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  • Alexis Esposto

    (Swinburne University of Technology)

  • Juan Felix Agudelo

    (Swinburne University of Technology)

Abstract

Australia has seen an increase in labour market inequality over recent decades. One driver for this is skill bias in the demand for labour. Another points to the casualisation of employment in Australia and to polarisation of job creation and earnings. To understand these, we conduct a simple analysis by applying data on occupational types, namely, full-time and part-time ‘casual’ and ‘permanent’ employment. The findings show polarisation in the labour market. This phenomenon occurs when the labour market experiences an increase in the share of high-paid jobs with decent working conditions, an increase in jobs with poor pay and working conditions, with an accompanying decrease in the share of jobs in the middle of the employment distribution. This outcome, we believe, is accentuated by a process of casualisation of employment. These processes may lead to a different dimension of inequality occurring in the Australian labour market, requiring new government policies to slow such trends.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexis Esposto & Juan Felix Agudelo, 2019. "Casualisation of work and inequality in the Australian labour market," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 22(2), pages 53-74.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:22:y:2019:i:2:p:53-74
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. John Burgess & Iain Campbell & Robyn May, 2008. "Pathways from Casual Employment to Economic Security: the Australian Experience," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 88(1), pages 161-178, August.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Juzhong Zhuang, 2023. "Income and Wealth Inequality in Asia and the Pacific: Trends, Causes, and Policy Remedies," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 18(1), pages 15-41, January.

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