COVID-19, health and labour market marginalisation

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sudden and dramatic increase in unemployment, underemployment and receipt of income support. However, by mid-2021 unemployment rates were back below pre-pandemic levels. It is unclear whether these employment impacts and recovery were experienced similarly by all Australians. There is little information about whether working Australians with poor mental and physical health were more likely to experience job loss during the initial pandemic shock, or if they have been able to return to the workforce. This project will draw on rich and unique Australian data sources to increase understanding of the employment and labour market circumstances of people with mental and physical health conditions through the pandemic. The project, to be designed and conducted in consultation with policymakers and representatives of community and business groups, will build new knowledge to help understand, and then design and direct appropriate