Some Key Employment Figures*
- In Feb 2023, 13.8 Australians were employed.
- The unemployment rate was 549,000 people in February 2024. This was a slight increase from previous months; In NSW the unemployment rate in January was 528,700 people.
- Full time employment of 9.2 million people in January 2024; while part time work has decreased to 4,406,100 people. This is a trend that has been increasing over the last few years, and is expected to continue to increase.
- The monthly hours of work by Australians is at 1,909,351.534 in February 2024.
- In 2023 the Fair Work Commission increased minimum wages to $882.80 per week, or $23.23 per hour. The minimum wage applies to an award/agreement free employee other than: a junior employee; an employee to whom a training arrangement applies; an employee with a disability for whom that disability affects their productivity. A range of subset minimum wages is set for people that do not fit the categories above.
- Average weekly earnings as of November 2024: Full time adult average (including ordinary time and other time): $1,888.80 all adult average earnings: $1,431.10
*NB these figures change very regularly – updated monthly and quarterly figures can be found at the ABS.
Woe to those who build their houses by unrighteousness, and their upper rooms by injustice; who make their neighbours work for nothing, and do not give them their wages.
-Jeremiah 22:13
What can you do?
IDEAS FOR ACTION: The 1994 Australian Bishops’ Social Justice Statement offers some practical steps that are still relevant. Some of them include:
- Stand in solidarity with the unemployed, underemployed and those in difficult and unfair working conditions. ‘This will sometimes include advocacy to government and the public service’.
- Provide practical assistance – e.g. meals, childcare, money, assistance with rent/mortgage or utilities, take someone out and do something special, spend time and offer friendship, can you connect them to any work opportunities you might know about?
- Accept that prevention, or turn around, of a growing underclass may require sacrifice from us who have more, including in our living standards.
- Live more simply so as to stand in solidarity with the poor and to highlight human dignity as our primary value. This is something the 1967 encyclical Populorum Progressio asks of us: ‘God asks us to look at our lifestyles and to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with those in poverty’. For more info and ideas see Livesimply.org.uk, a Catholic organisation.
- Learn more and raise awareness where you can. Start with our page on Catholic Social Teaching on Work which outlines key Church teachings on the topic and has a list of further resources.
If you would like further ideas, support, or to connect with other Catholics from around Sydney who are working on these issues, or if you simply want know more about how the Church stands in solidarity with workers and the dignity of fair work please contact us at the Justice and Peace Office.
To learn what the Church teaches about work click here.
Images: ©Justice and Peace Office and Sydney Alliance
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