Mothers’ employment rates in Australia have increased over recent decades but having a child is still a pivotal event when many mothers disrupt or change their participation in paid work. This report explores some of the diversity in the employment patterns of new mothers – that is, mothers with a child under one year of age, whether or not this is their first child.

The report examines differences in mothers’ employment by child age in months and a range of other characteristics. It also provides some information about mothers’ and families’ incomes at this time. The findings in the report further build the evidence base on mothers’ employment and could be used to inform policy in a range of areas including gender equality, income support and industrial relations.

Key research questions

• What are the key personal and family characteristics leading to different employment patterns by child age in months?
• How do different employment patterns after the birth relate to the kinds of jobs held before the birth, after taking account of personal and family characteristics?
• What do mothers’ and families’ incomes look like for parents of under-one year olds? To what extent are mothers receiving different government payments, and how does this vary by employment status?