The latest jobs figures from the ABS show a big fall in part-time jobs.
However the number of Aussies working part-time is still around record high levels, a trend experts predict will continue for many years.
PART-TIME JOBS BY THE NUMBERS
* Australia has one of the highest rates of part-time work among OECD countries. There were about 8.2 million full-time workers in February and 3.8 million part-timers.
* Much of the jobs growth in Australia in recent years has been part-time. About 126,000 part-time jobs were created in 2016 while full-time jobs fell by 34,000.
* The underemployment rate - the number of people who are working but want more hours - is at a record high 8.7 per cent, suggesting many part-timers want more work.
WHO IS WORKING PART-TIME?
* Almost one in five men and nearly half of all women in the labour force are part-timers. But the range in their working hours is huge - between one and 35 hours a week.
* The majority of part-time jobs are in the services industry, so sectors including healthcare, cafes/restaurant, retail, tourism and education.
* Women, particularly those with young children, students, and older workers not quite ready to give up work completely as they transition to retirement make up the bulk of the part-time workforce.
WHAT'S DRIVING THE PART-TIME TREND?
* With unemployment stuck at 5.9 per cent and the underemployment rate at 8.7 per cent, nearly 15 per cent of the labour market is either out of work or looking for more hours. As a result employers don't feel pressured to offer full-time positions to secure staff.
* Since the end of the mining investment boom, thousands of high-paying full-time jobs have disappeared and no other sector has been able to pick up the slack.
* By contrast, the services sector - which used to be a relatively small employer - has been expanding and typically offers part-time jobs.
PROS AND CONS OF PART-TIME WORK
* Having so many part-time workers and a high underemployment rate keeps a lid on wages growth. Workers don't feel confident about asking for pay rises, and with so many potential workers looking for a job employers don't feel compelled to offer higher wages.
* Working part-time has the potential to reduce superannuation contributions and the amount of income tax collected by the federal government.
* Many workers prefer part-time roles because of the flexibility it gives them in juggling family and caring responsibilities.
* However for those wanting more part-time work, there can be stresses associated with money.
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