In Australia, a higher proportion of women are holding down more than one job compared to men. The latest ABS figures showed that more than seven per cent of employed women are holding down multiple jobs, compared to 5.7 per cent of employed men.
Since 1994, the data has shown a higher percentage of women consistently holding down more than one job compared to men.
In the latest analysis taken in March this year, almost 950,000 multiple job-holders were recorded — a record high, with those working in community and personal services more likely to be holding down multiple jobs.
The data analysed the trends in main job vs second jobs for women, revealing that most women’s second jobs were also in the same industry as their main job. Employees in the health care and social assistance industry held down two jobs within that industry. The same trend was found in workers in administrative and support services and education and training.
The industry with the highest multiple job-holders are those working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing; and administrative and support services.
Those who held two jobs worked on average 40.5 hours per week — five hours more than those who worked a single job (35.5 hours per week). Those who lived outside of metropolitan or main cities were also found to have higher rates of holding down multiple jobs.
You are access the full report on the ABS site here.