The Migrant Workers’ Taskforce, chaired by Professor Allan Fels AO, with Dr David Cousins AM as Deputy Chair, was established as part of the federal government’s response to the revelation of significant wage underpayments in certain industry sectors. This report provides a summary of the work of the taskforce and makes a number of recommendations.

This submission presents evidence from several different strands of research undertaken over the past three years, all of which touch in different ways on the challenges and opportunities associated with on-demand or 'gig' work.

The future of work is currently receiving attention at the highest policy levels. This paper demonstrates the case for a strong gender lens in these debates and makes a clear call for women’s economic empowerment to be at the front and centre of efforts to ensure the gig economy evolves to the benefit of all.

The Victorian government has announced an inquiry into the on-demand workforce. The inquiry, chaired by former Federal Fair Work Ombudsman, Natalie James, will investigate the extent of the on-demand sector and the status of people working with or for on-line companies or platforms in Victoria.

In the past few decades other non-standard or non-traditional forms of employment such as labour hire, employees on short-term contracts, and engagement of independent contractors have emerged as hiring options for employers. This snapshot sheds light on the significance and contribution of different forms of employment to the Australian economy.