1. Work and family balance in regional Victoria Kerry Haynes, Sara Charlesworth, Iain Campbell, Marian Baird, Larissa Bamberry Centre for Applied Social Research

2. Background • Work and family balance may be defined as ‘the desire to have access to employment opportunities and earn an adequate income while at the same time looking after the caring responsibilities of family life’ (Russell and Bowman, 2000). • Much of the research to date has been metro centric RMIT University

3. Analysis of CIV data • Higher proportions of regional employees report work & family interference (44% compared to 40% metro employees) • 9 of the top 10 LGAs in terms of work and family interference are regional RMIT University

4. % Employees reporting work and family interference (CIV) RMIT University

5. Employee characteristics (CIV) Greater proportions of employees in regional Victoria in these groups reported work & family interference: • Men • Parents, especially single parents • Those with a post-school qualification • Those with higher household incomes (esp $80-$100K) • Those with poor job security • Those who reported their work was too demanding and stressful • Those who reported they spent too much time and energy on work. RMIT University

6. Factors that may affect work & family balance RMIT University

7. Pilot project -2006 • 4 LGAs • City of Greater Bendigo, Colac-Otway Shire, Horsham Rural City Council, Latrobe City Council • Research methods • Data ‘snapshots’ (2001 Census) • Key stakeholder interviews • Employee focus groups • Regional forums RMIT University

8. Key findings - demographics Compared to Melbourne, the 4 regional areas had: • Similar proportions of couple families with children & most had both parents in the paid workforce • Greater proportions of single parents • Smaller proportions of the population of working age • Smaller proportions with tertiary qualifications • Greater proportions drawing on some form of income support • Greater proportions on lower incomes. RMIT University

9. Key findings – Labour markets • Weaker level of labour demand, in particular a relative shortage of full-time job opportunities • Limited range of industries and skills • Higher proportions of women in part-time employment • Much of the part-time work available was seen as inadequate and family unfriendly • Casual work, shift work and inconsistent and fluctuating hours made work and family balance more difficult. RMIT University

10. Key findings- infrastructure Issues raised during consultations: • Childcare- limited provision, affordability and quality • Transport- long distances often required to access suitable jobs, lack of public transport • Education and training opportunities limited both for skilled and less skilled groups, and for women returning to work RMIT University

11. Work, family & community balance • Reliance in regional Victoria on volunteers to staff community services, eg. CFA • Volunteering seen as adding to the quality of community life • Juggle between work, family and community • Longer hours or irregular work schedules may impact on employees’ ability to meet community responsibilities RMIT University

12. Current project • ARC linkage grant with IRV and RDV • Locations: 4 pilot areas plus 4 new areas • Data sources: • 2006 census data, key stakeholder interviews, regional forums • CATI survey of 4,000 employees • Industry studies RMIT University

13. Summary • Demonstrated need to examine regional Victoria more closely in terms of work, family and community balance • Particularly important with changes to industrial relations regulations, the economy and drought RMIT University