Factors Causing Change in Australian Communities

Changing Nature and Patterns of Work

Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s the dominance of Australia’s manufacturing industry (e.g agriculture, mining, construction and fishing) saw a dramatic decline, and there was a significant increase in the importance of our service industry (banking, finance and tourism). In 1986-87, 16% of all persons who were employed, were in the manufacturing industry (the largest group). By 2001-02 it had fallen to 12%.

There are a number of reasons for this change in industry dominance:
1. The increased number of women in the workforce results in increased demand for child care services
2. Australia’s ageing population increases the need for medical services
3. An increased pattern of eating at restaurants increases the employment opportunities in restaurants

The following ABS figures compare the Australian workforce in 1971 with the Australian workforce in 2001. During this period:
The proportion of employed persons with full time work declined from 89 to 69 per cent.
The number of women participating in the workforce increased from 37 to 55 per cent.
There was an increase in the proportion of employed persons with a bachelor degree or higher from 3 to 19 per cent.
There was an increase in the number of 15-24 year olds participating in the education system from 35 to 54 per cent.

Cultural Integration

Cultural integration is the process where aspects or elements of various cultures become a regular part of the dominant culture. For example, food from various parts of Asia and