1.5 Million Australians Looked For Work Last Year

August 17 2007 - Just over 1,500,000 people (9% of Australians aged 15 years or more) were unemployed and looking for work at some time in the twelve months up to February 2007, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

In total, 11.1 million people were working at some time during the year out of a total of 16.3 million Australians aged 15 years and over. Approximately 7.4 million Australians worked for the whole year up to February 2007.

Other findings include:

The proportion of males who worked at some time during the year was 75%, compared to 81% in February 2003. The proportion of females who worked at some time was 62%, in comparison to 68% in February 2003.

Approximately 60% looked for work for less than 13 weeks, while around 7% were job-hunting unsuccessfully for the whole year.

On average, people spent about 16 weeks job-hunting. Men spent an average of 17 weeks, compared to 15 weeks for women. The average time was longer for older people - those aged 55 years and over spending the most time looking for work (20 weeks). Conversely, those aged 15-19 years spent an average of 13 weeks looking for work.

75% of men and 62% of women worked at some time during the year. Of these:

• Just under two-thirds (65%) were employed full time only.
• A quarter (25%) worked part time only.
• 10% had a combination of full and part time employment.

Approximately 4.7 million people did not participate in the job market at all during the year - they were not working or looking for work. Their main activities during the year were:

• 39% were 'retired or voluntarily inactive'- 50% of males and 33% of females.
• 28% were 'engaged in home duties or caring for children' - 6% of males and 42% of females.
• 11% said they were 'attending an educational institution' - 14% of men, 8% of women.
• 7% said they had a 'disability or handicap' - 11% of men, 4% of women.

* Further information is in Labour Force Experience, Australia, February 2007 (cat. no. 6206.0).

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