Byron Bay leads Australia in part-time work

BYRON has emerged as Australia’s top hotspot for part-time employment, with nearly half of its workforce engaged in part-time roles.

According to a recent report by Reckon, 48 per cent of workers in Byron Bay work in part-time jobs.

Reckon manager of people & culture Jess Morris said it is a combination of people seeking work-life balance and those looking for extra income in the cost of living crisis.

“With more people prioritising flexibility and a good work-life balance, they’re choosing part-time work so they can spend more time with family or focus on other responsibilities outside of work,” Morris said.

“Then there are those who take on part-time jobs to help with the cost of living.”

The report attributes the town’s high percentage of part-time workers to the hospitality, retail, and arts sectors, which naturally lend themselves to flexible working hours.

Beaumont People chief executive Nikki Beaumont said she had observed a significant rise in the demand for part-time work in Byron Bay.

“This trend is largely driven by a transient workforce, often on working holiday visas, enjoying a balance between work and leisure,” Ms Beaumont said.

“The demand for part-time positions has surged from both job seekers and employer perspective.

“For employers, part-time work helps businesses adapt swiftly to changing business needs without long-term commitments.

“Job seekers are embracing multiple part-time roles, balancing their passions and income needs.

“This shift highlights the evolving dynamics of our local job market.”

Forty years ago, one in 10 employees worked part-time; today, over a quarter (30.8 per cent) of Australians, or 4.4 million people, do.

Reckon’s analysis of 15 years of census data highlights a significant shift in employment patterns across Australia.

At the state level, the report found that Tasmania has the highest proportion of part-time workers in Australia at 36.4 per cent and the highest increase in part-time employment at 18.4 per cent, driven by industries like hospitality, retail, and healthcare.

In contrast, the Northern Territory has the lowest percentage of part-time workers at 22.8 per cent and the lowest growth at 3.1 per cent.

Nationally, more than a quarter of Australian workers now hold part-time jobs, a rate surpassed only by the Netherlands among OECD countries.

This shift has been driven by rising living costs, an ageing population, and the growing number of people balancing work with education and family responsibilities.

The report also noted a significant increase in part-time employment among men, with a 32.1 per cent rise over the past 15 years.

The number of men holding multiple jobs has increased by over 30 per cent in the past five years.

The proportion of women working part-time has remained consistent at 41.7 per cent.