The information contained in this section presents a picture of the labour market in Australia. In June 2002, 63.8% of the adult population in Australia were directly involved in the labour market (i.e. working or looking for work). Unlike other statistics that have a particular economic or social focus, labour statistics cut across both dimensions, and in so doing they provide useful insights into economic and community life in Australia.
This section provides a broad overview of the Australian labour market. It briefly describes key labour statistics concepts and measures (e.g. employment, unemployment, job vacancies, earnings, industrial disputes); highlights the main features of the Australian labour market in 2001-02; examines developments in the Australian labour market over the medium- and long-term; and presents more detailed analysis of a number of issues related to and/or impacting on the Australian labour market.