Some key facts about types of work include the following: • The proportion of employed people who are classiýed as full-time has fallen over the past 10 years. • In March 2025, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that approximately 68 per cent of employed Australians were working full time. A decade earlier, in January 2011, the proportion was higher at 70 per cent. • In contrast, part-time employment sits at around 30 per cent, with this ýgure þuctuating over time. • In September 2024, 60.6 per cent of women were part of the paid workforce in Australia while 68.4 per cent of males were part of the paid workforce. The unemployed The unemployed are people who want to work but do not have a job right now. This includes those who lost jobs, are starting a new job or are between jobs. Permanent, casual and seasonal workers Permanent workers get paid holiday leave and sick leave. Casual workers do not get these beneýts. Seasonal workers work only during certain times of the year. For example, apple pickers work in the harvest season, and ski instructors work in winter when there is snow.
SkillBuilder discussion Communicating 1. What is a seasonal worker? 2. Why are ski instructors only employed during winter? 3. What skills do ski instructors need for their job?
FIGURE3 Ski instructors are seasonal workers who are employed only during winter.
Voluntary work and other unpaid work When we look at Australia’s labour force, we tend to focus on who is employed, who is unemployed or who is seeking employment. But not all work is paid. We should also remember the important contributions from people who don’t ýt into these groups. These groups include: • volunteers who help community groups, like doctors in Doctors Without Borders and country ýreýghters • grandparents caring for grandchildren • parents caring for a sick or disabled child • parents who stay at home to raise the family.
FIGURE4 A surf lifesaver is a trained volunteer who helps keep beaches safe on weekends. Surf lifesaving can be fun and may even lead to a job later.
596 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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