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Decline to boom to slowdown: Australia’s labour market in the COVID- 19 era

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Abstract

This paper presents a five-year review of Australia’s labour market spanning what I term the ‘COVID-19 era’, from early 2020 through to the end of 2024. A first objective is to provide a history of the main developments in the labour market during this tumultuous period. The evolution of employment outcomes across different phases is charted, together with analysis of how adjustment happened, and which jobs and workers were most affected. In addition, topics relating to wage growth, labour supply and labour productivity, and the role of government policy, are covered in detail. A second objective is to demonstrate that understanding the COVID-19 era enables important lessons to be drawn about the operation of Australia’s labour market and about policy – relevant both for today and for similar future episodes.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeff Borland, 2025. "Decline to boom to slowdown: Australia’s labour market in the COVID- 19 era," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2025n15, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    • Handle: RePEc:iae:iaewps:wp2025n15
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    File URL: https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/5413484/wp2025n15.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J40 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - General

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