This report has been prepared for the Department of Family and Community Services to provide background analysis for the assessment of policy options to encourage employment and self-sufficiency among the older workforce (those aged 50 to retirement age). The main focus is on labour supply issues - with a particular focus on the household situation of older (potential) workers. The research here is intended to complement and provide background information for other FaCS and SPRC research projects which are examining personal attitudes and characteristics in more detail and the views of employers on hiring older workers.