By Georgina Sebar
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed that 958,600 Australians are working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Women were more likely than men to need a second job, with 7.6 per cent of working women holding more than one position, compared to only 5.7 per cent of employed men.
Similarly, 8.0 percent of young workers between the ages of 15-19 hold at least two jobs, along with 8.2 per cent of 20–24-year-olds.
Female dominated industries had some of the highest rates of multiple job holders, including health care and social assistance, administrative and support services, and accommodation and food services.
These statistics reflect the widespread undervaluing of women’s contribution to the workforce. Women are routinely paid less than their male coworkers doing the same jobs., while industries considered to be ‘women’s work’ offer substantially less remuneration than industries traditionally dominated by men.
In addition to this, census data consistently shows that women do more unpaid housework than men.
This gender pay gap keeps women trapped in cycles of poverty and abuse. Many women find themselves unable to leave dangerous situations because they simply cannot afford to support themselves.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, we can expect to see a further rise in women needing to take on multiple jobs to make ends meet or remove themselves from vulnerable situations.
At Fitted for Work, our mission is to help women enter and thrive in the workplace. We believe sustainable, meaningful work empowers women to get the most out of their lives, whether that be through leaving a domestic violence situation or being financially stable enough to take a well-deserved holiday. Without economic independence, we cannot achieve true gender equality.
