"Stage 2 Business and Enterprise Changes in the Australian Work Environment CONTENTS 1 Executive Summary 2 Composition of the Australian work environment 2.1 Participation of women in the workforce 2.2 Australian elderly population 2.3 Immigration workers 3 Technology and work 3.1 Communications 3.2 Computers 4 Conclusion 5 Bibliography 1. Executive Summary Over the past 20 years, the structure of the Australian workforce has changed dramatically. There are many changes that are continually affecting the Australian work environment including the composition of the Australian work environment, the increase in women participating in the workforce, the Australian elderly population, immigrant workers who are coming to Australia to work and technological changes. These combine to make the Australian workplace one of the most dynamic workforces in the world. This report will examine the changes in the Australian work environment using a range of both primary and secondary sources of information."

2. Composition of the Australian Work Environment

There has been a huge increase in the number of older Australians, women and immigrants participating in the workforce. The reasons for this change to the composition of the work environment include economic need, improved child care facilities, improved family financial security, and desire for the family to have a comfortable life. Some argue it has become difficult to run the family with only one income and that women working ensure families are financially secure into the future, as they prepare for retirement.

2.1 Women in the Workforce

There has been a significant increase in the number of women in the workforce which has had a substantial change on the workplace over the last 2 decades.

[Image – Workforce Participation Rate by Sex 1978 – 2012]

Figure 1.1 Participation of females in the labour force

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