Insights into hours worked, September 2022

Released
20/10/2022

The ABS will continue to monitor changes in hours worked and provide additional analysis when relevant.

Key findings

Hours worked decreased by 0.6 million hours (less than 0.1%) in seasonally adjusted terms between August and September 2022, and employment increased by 900 people (less than 0.1%). Throughout the pandemic, the hours worked series shows larger short-term changes compared to the employed series, given that employees may have been away from paid work for a short period without losing their job.

Some of the slowing in hours worked reflected a higher than usual number of people taking annual leave in September. The number of people working fewer hours because they were sick was also higher than we usually see in September, but only around 14 per cent higher. It was no longer around two to three times higher, like it was earlier in 2022. 

Chart 1 shows that despite the volatility in recent years, both the hours worked series and employment series were steady during September. Since the beginning of the pandemic, hours increased by 4.9% and employment increased by 4.6%. 

Chart 1: Hours worked and employment index, Seasonally adjusted (March 2020 = 100.0)

Chart 1: Hours worked and employment index, Seasonally adjusted (March 2020 = 100.0)

Line chart with 2 lines.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Index. Data ranges from 89.8 to 104.9.
End of interactive chart.

Source: Labour Force, Australia Tables 1 and 19

Chart 2 shows the proportion of employed people who worked fewer hours than usual for the four selected reasons in September. Around 8.5% of employed people took annual leave, flextime or long service leave during September 2022, higher than previous Septembers, including prior to the pandemic. 

Chart 2: Proportion of employed people who worked fewer than usual hours for selected reasons in September, Original

Chart 2: Proportion of employed people who worked fewer than usual hours for selected reasons in September, Original

Bar chart with 4 data series.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying %. Data ranges from 4.1 to 15.5.
End of interactive chart.

Source: Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2a and Table 1

People working fewer hours than usual due to their own illness or injury or sick leave

Chart 3 shows the number of people working fewer hours due to illness decreased by 192,600 people to 568,400 people, between August and September 2022, down from the peak in the first half of 2022.

Chart 3: Employed people working fewer hours than usual due to own illness or injury or sick leave, Original

Chart 3: Employed people working fewer hours than usual due to own illness or injury or sick leave, Original

Line chart with 61 data points.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying '000. Data ranges from 207 to 781.4.
End of interactive chart.

Source: Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2a

Chart 4 shows the proportion of employed people working fewer hours due to illness in each state and territory. 

Chart 4: Proportion employed people who worked fewer hours than usual due to own illness or injury or sick leave, by state and territory, Original

Chart 4: Proportion employed people who worked fewer hours than usual due to own illness or injury or sick leave, by state and territory, Original

Bar chart with 6 data series.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying %. Data ranges from 2.1 to 6.
End of interactive chart.

Source:  Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2b and Table 12

People working fewer hours than usual due to annual leave, flextime or long service leave

Chart 5 shows the number of people working fewer hours due to annual leave, flextime or long service leave increased by 316,800 people to 1,156,000 people, between August and September 2022.

Chart 5: Employed people who worked fewer hours than usual due to annual leave, flextime or long service leave, Original

Chart 5: Employed people who worked fewer hours than usual due to annual leave, flextime or long service leave, Original

Line chart with 61 data points.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying '000. Data ranges from 509.9 to 5491.1.
End of interactive chart.

Source:  Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2a

Chart 6 shows people who worked fewer hours due to annual leave increased in all states and territories in September 2022, apart from the Northern Territory, where it decreased. 

Chart 6: Employed people who worked fewer hours than usual due to annual leave, flextime or long service leave, by state and territory, Original

Chart 6: Employed people who worked fewer hours than usual due to annual leave, flextime or long service leave, by state and territory, Original

Line chart with 8 lines.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying '000. Data ranges from 3.9 to 1800.8.
End of interactive chart.

Source:  Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2b

Chart 7 shows the proportion of employed people who worked fewer hours due to annual leave, flextime or long service leave was elevated in all states and territories in September 2022, compared to previous Septembers. 

Chart 7: Proportion of employed people who worked fewer than usual hours due to annual leave, flextime or long service leave, by state and territory, Original

Chart 7: Proportion of employed people who worked fewer than usual hours due to annual leave, flextime or long service leave, by state and territory, Original

Bar chart with 6 data series.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying %. Data ranges from 2.1 to 12.1.
End of interactive chart.

Source:  Labour Force, Australia Data Cube EM2b and Table 12