This paper describes and contrasts approaches that are typically employed to define and assess living standards and needs. The paper notes that because many aspects of living standards cannot be directly observed, research typically relies on one or more indicators of living standards. The most common of these in Australian research is income, and the...

The report provides an overview of the relevant research literature relating to the concepts and determinants of productivity, business competitiveness and viability and their relationship with minimum wages. It also presents various measures of productivity, business competitiveness and viability and their trends at an aggregate and industry level over the medium term. Using the ABS...

In examining the history of Australian apprentices, the paper finds that the term ‘Australian apprentices’ can encompass employees in a wide variety of occupations and training with differing qualifications. It finds however, that from a wage-setting perspective, wage arrangements still distinguish between what are ‘traditional trades’ employees (apprentices) from non traditional trades employees (trainees). The...