Extended Working Hours in Australia

By Iain Campbell

Average working hours of full-time employees in Australia are long, and have been getting longer since the early 1980s. This constitutes a major issue for public policy.

Campbell summarises the evidence of extended working hours and the distinctive position of Australia in cross-national perspective. He aims to push forward the discussion on possible policy responses. The question of working time regulation in Australia is a particular concern. Current laws allow plenty of scope for employers to pressure employees into extended hours. A review of recent regulatory initiatives in the UK provides some guidance on possible ways forward. The article draws on a research report conducted by Campbell for the ACTU as part of its reasonable hours campaign.

(Labour & Industry; vol. 13, no. 1, August 2002)