Workforce Participation

Despite more than a decade of sustained economic growth and record high levels of employment, far too many Australians are not participating in the workforce.

Poor health disadvantages many individuals from participating in the workforce, and lack of employment is a key contributor to social exclusion and poverty.

From an economic perspective, improving Australians’ health is essential to increasing workforce participation and productivity.

From a social perspective, improved health is essential to improve the capacity of all citizens to fully participate socially and economically.

Maintaining or enhancing workforce participation means systematically addressing the barriers to participation. These have been outlined in a number of reports, which can be accessed using the links below.

Current work relating to improving health status is led by the BCA Healthy Australia Task Force, and education and skills through the BCA Education, Skills and Innovation Task Force.

BCA Secretariat Contact: Ruth Dunkin

• Engaging our Potential: A Checklist to Reduce Barriers to Workforce Participation
• Engaging our Potential: The Economic and Social Necessity of Increasing Workforce Participation
• Employing Our Potential: Ensuring Prosperity through Participation
• Age Can Work: A Business Guide for Supporting Older Worker
• Age Can Work: The Case for Older Australians Staying in the Workforce