Mums return to old jobs

NEW mums are returning to the workforce at an unprecedented rate with more than three quarters of working mothers going back to their previous jobs.

But industry experts have warned that Australia still has a long way to go to catch up to other developed countries, with high childcare costs and lack of employer flexibility keeping many mums out of work.

New ABS data examining pregnancy and employment transitions found that fewer women permanently left their pre-baby jobs last year, with 77 per cent keeping the same roles in 2017, up from 71 per cent in 2011.

In a positive development, a higher proportion of those mums are now also returning to work with the same responsibilities, up from 59 per cent in 2011 to 65 per cent in 2017.

University of Queensland senior research fellow Michelle Brady said Australia had a lot of work to do to increase workforce participation rates among mothers.

“Because of the way our tax system and childcare subsidy system is set up, there’s not really that incentive or support for women to go back to work,” Dr Brady said.

“It’s still common for women to be moved into less fulfilling roles after parenting leave or not allowed to do as fulfilling work when they return on part-time hours.

“Australia has a long way to go and the overall picture is we’re not making much progress at all.”