Submissions have opened for Australia’s first formal investigation into the rise of insecure work and its effect on families and communities.

More and more Australians are taking up casual jobs instead of full-time work – especially carers.

A study released last month shows that 40 per cent of workers across all fields are now paid casual rates or are on independent contracts. Casual employment has almost doubled in the past 25 years.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said many Australians were now being asked to choose between insecure employment or no work at all.

That’s a big change in Australia and unions are concerned about what that means for employment conditions and so have set up the national Insecure Work Inquiry.

The inquiry has been commissioned by the ACTU to analyse the situation and the impact it is having on workplace rights, household finances, and wider society.

With the opening of the inquiry, workers now have the opportunity to share their stories about the impact of casual work, labour hire and contract employment, alongside community groups, unions and employers.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe will chair the inquiry and Paul Munro, a former senior member of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, will be the deputy chair.

Mr Howe says a greater understanding of changes in the workforce is needed to get the balance right between productivity, security and flexibility.

He said he agreed to head the inquiry because of his long-standing concern about the changing nature of work, and that he is also keen to hear from business owners during the process.

You can lodge a submission online, through email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by calling the inquiry hotline on 1300 362 223 (toll free) or via the post to Level 6, 365 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

For more information visit:

http://securejobs.org.au/