Work
The BSL Social Policy and Research Centre studies what is needed to create inclusive decent work. We also investigate what helps or hinders people to get, keep and advance in their employment.
For many people in Australia, having a job does not guarantee economic security. Low wages, insecure work and rising costs of living mean that even with a job, a person might not be making a decent living.
Our research examines the lived experience of labour market disadvantage and analyses secondary data to understand trends.
Unemployment and underemployment are increasing. Factors such as age, gender, disability or ill health, and ethnic background may affect pathways into and in and out of work.
People who rely on low wages or income support can struggle to make ends meet.
Our policy and research work examines the links between the changing nature of work, social and economic policy, inequality and insecurity.
We study the current and future impacts for those groups that are more likely than others to experience poverty and social exclusion.
Our work informs the development of policies and programs to address the growing differences in employment opportunity and economic security.
Find all recent publications on Work (2000–present)
Visit the BSL library for our prior research on Work (pre 2000)
• Mobilise local efforts through place-based collaborations of employers, TAFEs, local governments, employment services and community organisations to inform stimulus measures, foster economic development and strengthen regional labour markets.
• Develop a Jobs and Climate Accord: a grand bargain of business; unions; governments and community to advance Australia’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
• Invest in more effective and enabling employment assistance that builds capabilities, harnesses local effort, engages employers and is tailored to the circumstances of different groups of jobseekers.
• Expand social procurement measures across Australia to ensure jobseekers experiencing disadvantage benefit from employment opportunities generated by public expenditure.
Selected publications
How are online platforms affecting support workers’ conditions and the quality of support available to people with disability?
Read reportAdopting a gender lens helps to identify barriers affecting women and create opportunities to improve women’s financial wellbeing in regional towns.
Read reportThis report examines the contexts and mechanisms which enable the implementation of a national youth employment ecosystem that connects young people to decent work while also meeting the workforce needs of employers and industry in local communities.
Read reportWhat needs to be done to reform policies and practices that aim to increase the participation of people with disability in employment?
Read reportAlmost one-third of JobSeeker Payment recipients are people assessed with 'partial capacity to work'.
Read reportWhat works to achieve effective employment services for young people? This report presents lessons from the evaluation of the Transition to Work Community of Practice
Read reportThis Stage 11 report of the Life Chances Study examines post-compulsory education and work experiences for young people in their mid-20s.
Read reportHow can we ensure Australia will have enough skilled workers to provide quality aged care while supporting the emotional and physical health of older ‘pink collar’ workers?
Read reportHow can public and private sector organisations use their purchasing power to create positive social impact?
Read paperHow the Given the Chance for Asylum Seekers program acted as a bridge to employment for asylum seekers
Read reportFocusing only on getting humanitarian migrants (including refugees) into work ignores the other challenges of settling in a new country.
Read reportWhat is needed to help mature jobseekers find work?
Read reportSelected projects
How has becoming or being a parent affected the economic security of participants in this longitudinal study?
Learn moreThis study focuses on a BSL initiative to increase participation in mainstream employment for people with disability.
Learn moreHow can public and private sector organisations use their purchasing power to create positive social impact?
Learn moreAustralia's older workers on low incomes tend to have poorer health, but they are being expected to work longer.
Learn moreA project giving young people the freedom to take photographs that represent their experiences of education or employment
Learn moreLooking for services related to work?
Given the Chance is one of our longest running and most effective employment support programs.
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For women with refugee, asylum seeker and migrant backgrounds, Stepping Stones to Small Business provides opportunities to achieve financial wellbeing.
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The BSL Jobs Victoria program provides a service for long-term job seekers, who live in large parts of Melbourne’s western, northern and south-eastern suburbs, and on the Mornington Peninsula.
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Our Youth Transitions Support Pilot Program helps young refugees participate in the community through work, education and sport.
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Creating Futures for Youth empowers young people to pursue their career goals and build their capacity to work or undertake further learning.
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Looking for work but not sure where to start? Get in touch with our Jobs Victoria Advocates today.
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