Unemployment and Underemployment

Labour underutilisation, comprising both unemployment and underemployment, is a key focus of much of the research undertaken within the Labour Economics and Social Policy research program. Issues examined by research projects include the extent, nature, consequences and causes of underutilisation of labour and the effectiveness of government policy interventions aimed at alleviating unemployment.

Projects commenced in 2005

• An in-depth examination of the causes and factors associated with long-term reliance on income support for particular groups of unemployed and related customers.

Projects commenced in 2004

• Experiences of the unemployed
• The causes of long-term unemployment
• Explaining the decline in the male employment-population ratio in Australia between 1971 and 2001

Projects commenced in 2003

• Underemployment in Australia: Evidence from the HILDA Survey
• Job search of the unemployed - Description and determinants

Projects commenced in 2002

• The effect of childcare costs on labour supply
• What happens to the human capital of the unemployed over time? An analysis of changes in marginal productivity and job-finding abilities
• Labour market outcomes and welfare participation of persons with disabilities in Australia

Projects commenced in 2001

• Effect of changes to activity test arrangements on exit from payments - A: Mutual Obligation
• Effect of changes to activity test arrangements on exit from payments - C: Job seeker diary
• Effect of changes to activity test arrangements on exit from payments - D: Work for the dole
• Effect of changes to activity test arrangements on exit from payments - B: Intensive Review
• Analysis of incidence and trends in jobless families in Australia
• Workless Families in Australia

Projects commenced in 2000 and earlier

• Unemployment: Economic Analysis and Policy Modelling