This research paper looks at the performance of the Australian labour market - with a particular focus on the most recent decades.

The context for this research is the federal government’s partially complete program of significant changes to Australia’s industrial relations framework.

The government and/or its supporters argue these changes are necessary to address a worsening of employee bargaining power; heightened exploitation; a declining share of wages in national incomes and falling real wages. They suggest that Australia’s labour market has failed workers and needs a substantial fix.

This paper examines the performance of Australia’s labour market to inform an assessment of whether the Australian Government’s program of industrial relations changes is appropriately targeted; whether it has correctly identified genuine weaknesses and strengths; and whether it will put Australia in a better position to meet what the government itself acknowledges are very substantial challenges.