More women are working full-time than ever before as the ultra-competitive labour market draws more female workers into the 38-hour week.
New analysis of official labour market data found women’s total employment is up 193,400 since May 2022, with most taking on full-time rather than part-time gigs.
About 4300 women have taken part-time jobs since May 2022, whereas 189,100 have entered full-time employment.
The federal government analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data found this was a consistent trend across both genders, with full-time positions making up 85 per cent of total jobs growth.
However, women were responsible for the bulk of the increase in full-time employment.
Employment Minister Tony Burke said the government was supporting women in the workforce in several ways, including backing and funding a major pay rise for the highly feminised aged care sector.
“We want every Australian woman to be able to work and earn to their full potential,” Mr Burke said.
The federal government has also confirmed up to $500 in energy bill relief for hundreds of thousands of seniors with concession cards.
The cohort of more than 490,000 Commonwealth seniors health card holders will be eligible for power bill support as per the government’s promise to take the sting out of sky-high energy prices.
Facing extreme energy price hikes late last year, the federal government implemented a price cap on coal and gas and promised direct bill relief for lower-income households.
© AAP 2023
