View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Members

Abbreviations and acronyms

List of Recommendations

Executive Summary

Chapter 1—Introduction

  Conduct of the inquiry
  Interim report
  Report structure

Chapter 2—Social inequalities and structural barriers in Australian society and workplaces

  Socio-economic value of care
  Economic contribution of Australia's unpaid carers
  'A woman's work is never done … I don't stop (Take care of everyone)'
  The costs to men of an inadequate system
  Piecemeal approach, disincentives, and policy tensions
  Increased workforce participation and the gender pay gap
  A way forward

Chapter 3—Early childhood education and care

  Issues with the current system
  The need for cheaper and universal childcare
  Female workforce participation
  Child Care Subsidy
  Government ECEC initiatives
  Preschool reform in Australian jurisdictions
  Childcare during COVID-19
  Support for early childhood educators

Chapter 4—Work and care experiences of specific groups

  Young carers
  First Nations communities
  First Nations workforce participation
  Access to care services and support
  Disabled workers
  Migrant and CALD carers

Chapter 5—The undervaluation and conditions of paid and unpaid care and their consequences

  The value and conditions of paid care
  Wages and conditions in formal care sectors
  The value of informal care
  A way forward

Chapter 6—Working time: predictable, secure, adequate, flexible, care-friendly

  Rostering predictability and justice
  Long working hours
  The right to disconnect
  Job security
  Flexibility
  A shorter working week
  Four-day working week trial in Australia
  The wide-ranging benefits of work time reduction policies

Chapter 7—Financial supports and leave entitlements for working carers

  Access to leave for working carers
  Paid parental leave
  Paid and unpaid carer's leave
  Issues with the current leave system
  Income support payments
  The tax and transfer system
  Superannuation

Chapter 8—Reforming the architecture of the work and care system

  Whole of government approach
  Value of unpaid care
  Early childhood education and care
  Returning to work: Employment and training programs for carers
  Work and care experiences of specific groups
  Pay and conditions of care work
  Paid parental leave
  Sick, carers and holiday leave
  Sustaining a work and care system
  Roster justice
  Working long hours
  Right to disconnect
  Flexibility
  Job security
  Gig workers—equal pay for equal work
  Shorter working week
  Activity Tests
  Support payments for carers
  Reforming superannuation
  Data on work and care

Government Senators' additional comments

Additional comments from Coalition Senators

  Industrial relations
  Early childhood education
  Mental health

Australian Greens' Additional Comments

  A right to disconnect
  Free early childhood education and care
  Inclusion Support Program
  Funding any pay increases for carers recommended by the Fair Work Commission
  Paid parental leave
  Paid sick and annual/holiday leave for casual workers
  Separate and increase paid carers and personal/sick leave
  Activity test
  Carers Payment and Carers Allowance
  For-profit care provision
  Australian Disability Enterprises

Appendix 1—Submissions and additional information

Appendix 2—Witnesses