Aussie women are doing more unpaid work than men, a study reveals

How much unpaid work are you doing?

Well, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Time Use Survey, people in Australia spent an average of three and a half hours a day on unpaid work activities during 2020-2021.

This includes domestic duties like housework, food and drinks preparation and shopping, as well as child care, adult care and volunteering activities.

Females do more unpaid work, males do more paid work

ABS Director of Social Survey and Statistics, Ms Lisa Scanlon said:

“On average, females spent 4 hours and 31 minutes a day doing unpaid work activities.

Males spent over an hour less on these activities, averaging 3 hours and 12 minutes a day.

Less than half of males (42 per cent) spent time on housework, compared to 70 per cent of females."

She further commented:

“Mothers spent an average of 3 hours and 34 minutes participating in child care activities a day, while fathers spent 2 hours and 19 minutes.

Of those who spent time doing employment related activities, males spent 8 hours and 13 minutes in a day on these activities, compared to females who spent 7 hours and 12 minutes."

What Aussies do during their free time

The survey also provides insight into the activities that people do in their free time.

On average, people spent 5 hours and 27 minutes a day on free time activities that included social interaction, recreation and leisure activities.

Based on the survey, three-quarters of people reported watching television and video, for an average of 2 hours and 55 minutes a day.

On the other hand, thirty per cent of respondents spent time doing exercise, sports and outdoor activities for an average of 1 hour and 29 minutes a day.

About Brett Warren Brett Warren is National Director of Metropole Properties and uses his two decades of property investment experience to advise clients how to grow, protect and pass on their wealth through strategic property advice.