Centre for Future Work

NSW Net Zero Commission estimates a 2.6 degree warming scenario will result in 10% lower Gross State Product and 290,0000 fewer jobs in NSW by 2070. * Meanwhile, expanding output of one of our largest coalmines will save (checks notes) 400 jobs. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10...

In just over 2 weeks legendary trade unionist Bill Kelty AC will give the 2026 Laurie Carmichael Lecture. Join us on Thurs 5 Nov to hear Bill's reflections on what a good quality of life for working people really involves, and his long partnership with Laurie. events.humanitix.com/laurie-carmi...

Welcome to the team, @timothda.bsky.social! Timoth will be leading our climate transition project as Senior Researcher – Climate. We're thrilled to have them join the team and be guiding this important and timely work. futurework.org.au/news/centre-...

@bspiesbutcher.bsky.social from @futurework.bsky.social hits the nail on the head re monetary policy failures: “Supply shocks are our primary challenge. But [RBA] still treats them like an aberration, not the main game. It’s looking in the wrong direction” www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/economy...

Join us for the 2026 Laurie Carmichael Lecture, to be given by trade unionist and former secretary of the ACTU, Bill Kelty AC. 'Fighting for a better life for workers: lessons from the past, for the future' Bill Kelty AC 6pm, Thurs 5 Nov Kaleide Theatre, RMIT events.humanitix.com/laurie-carmi...

In the @thesaturdaypaper.com.au today I argue monetary policy has become broken. It is focused on wages when the problem is clearly supply shocks, profits and prices. Stephen Long's excellent piece highlights @isabellamweber.bsky.social alternatives www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/economy...

Want to better understand the economic arguments shaping our workplaces, industries, and rights at work? Join us at Economics for Unionists in Brisbane this October! The course boosts organiser, delegate or member confidence in conversations, bargaining, and campaigning. atui.org.au/course/econo...

AI is now hiring, scheduling, monitoring, disciplining and firing workers, often with little human oversight. Our latest research, by @drfionamac.bsky.social, maps how algorithmic management is being rapidly adopted in Australia, and the mounting risks for workers. futurework.org.au/report/cogs-...

To that end, a new report from @drfionamac.bsky.social at @futurework.bsky.social has valuable new data on how employers are (mis)using AI tools to intensify & degrade work, and what we can do about it: futurework.org.au/report/cogs-.... It calls for urgent limits on AI monitoring & decision-making.

There is a lot of uncertainty about the economic benefits of AI as it is being used in our workplaces – but the harms and risks to workers are clear. Our latest report, by @drfionamac.bsky.social, calls for immediate action to limit management by AI at work. futurework.org.au/report/cogs-...

Our CEO @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social gave evidence last week to the Senate Select Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity, due to report by 30 Sept. His message: expand public/social housing outside the market, and give renters real security. futurework.org.au/news/opening... #AusPol #Housing

Superb analysis from Ben Spies-Butcher of @futurework.bsky.social of the contradictions of orthodox monetary austerity, applied in the Australian context: www.thenewdaily.com.au/finance/fina.... Monetary transmission is now felt via a tax on workers thru housing. Read it in @thenewdaily.bsky.social.

“As the RBA contemplates yet another rate rise, it is worth considering how we ended up with an economic system that means a war miles away makes housing more expensive for millions of workers” writes @bspiesbutcher.bsky.social Read the full piece on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...

Australia's childcare system suffers from treating early education as a market commodity rather than public infrastructure, writes @drfionamac.bsky.social for @womensagenda.bsky.social. #Childcare #earlychildhoodeducation #ECEC #auspol womensagenda.com.au/latest/child...

Australia’s most significant overhaul of IR law in over a decade is delivering measurable gains for workers, but leaves significant gaps. @davidpeetz.bsky.social examines the impact of the Closing Loopholes reforms on labour hire, casual employment & gig work. futurework.org.au/news/landmar...

Congratulations to Melissa Donnelly on her appointment as Secretary of the ACTU! The Centre is grateful to have worked closely with Melissa at @cpsu.org.au, and we’re looking forward to continuing our important work together at the ACTU @australianunions.bsky.social. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08...

Following the PM's July 15 announcement that Australia will adopt mandatory standards for regulation the use of AI, Dr Lisa Heap suggests 5 work-related commitments that should be included. futurework.org.au/news/five-wo... #AIRegulation #AIStandards #AIinAustralia #AIandWork #AI #AusPol

New research finds that the for-profit dominated market is at the heart of many of the ECEC system’s ongoing problems, and fails to consistently deliver safe, high-quality care to all children. futurework.org.au/report/the-r... #auspol #ECEC #Childcare #AusEcon #NotForProfit @unitedworkers.org.au

Australia’s private for-profit dominated childcare market is undermining the quality, safety and accessibility of early childhood education and care. Switching public funding to not-for-profit and government providers would deliver a $1.2 billion economic boost. futurework.org.au/news/ending-...

'We are currently facing a critical disconnect: the consultation processes meant to protect workers are triggered far too late, occurring only after decisions to implement AI are already in motion.' Dr Maria Hameed Khan reflects on our AI symposium #AI #FutureOfWork futurework.org.au/news/its-imp...

The high road or the low road? @davidpeetz.bsky.social lays out why the reasons companies introduce AI – and whether workers have a voice in it – shape what happens to jobs, safety, and wellbeing; and what is needed in a framework for regulating AI at work. futurework.org.au/news/the-hig...

Does AI increase productivity? Establishing the truth is complex, if not impossible. A/Prof Jake Goldenfein makes the case for evaluation measures as part of AI procurement decisions, and that workers should be involved in this ‘evaluation design’. #AI #FutureOfWork futurework.org.au/news/evaluat...

'There is a gap between what this new software is capable of doing, and what it is actually used for in the real world of employment and production.' Jim Stanford spoke to 7News about the slow of physical innovation vs the rapid rise of digital technology in Australia. 7news.com.au/news/experts...

Workers need a genuine say on how AI is adopted and implemented at work. Nicole McPherson from the FSU explains how AI is impacting workers in the finance sector, and makes the case for more effective rules around consultation with workers. futurework.org.au/news/an-indu... #FutureOfWork #AI

Australia is out of step with governments around the world in acting to prevent AI harms at work, writes Dr Fiona Macdonald. To build trust, the government will need to do more than taking a hands-off approach. #AIRegulation #FutureOfWork #ResponsibleAI futurework.org.au/news/governm...

“If there is a low minimum wage and workers are reliant on variable tips to earn a living this is not providing fair pay. Human labour cannot be treated as a commodity that changes price at the whim of the market.” #bclab

'Human labour cannot be treated as a commodity that changes price at the whim of the market.' With visitors to Canada for the FIFA World Cup navigating an unfamiliar tipping system, Dr Fiona Macdonald spoke to The Tyee in Canada about Australian hospitality wages. thetyee.ca/News/2026/07...

How do we maintain decent, human work in the era of AI? With almost 60% of Aussie workers monitored via algorithmic management, A/Prof Penny Williams says the main challenge isn’t the risk of new tech, it's the pace of change outstripping our capacity to respond. futurework.org.au/news/how-ai-...

More than half of Australian businesses are now using AI. Associate Professor Darryn Snell says the debate about whether AI creates or destroys jobs misses the real question: what about worker voice and rights? AI is, first and foremost, a tool of management. futurework.org.au/news/which-w...

Following our April symposium on AI and decent work, we've published insights from our speakers – a diverse group of researchers, unionists, and advocates who came together to examine Australia's options for AI regulation in the workplace. futurework.org.au/news/which-w...

JOB ALERT! We're currently searching for a senior researcher to join the Centre for Future Work team. The senior researcher will lead an ambitious research & policy project, focussing on promoting climate adaptation & export strategies that create quality jobs. futurework.org.au/news/job-ope...

Minimum wage is rising by 6%, but a decade of wage stagnation means the damage to working people runs much deeper. Associate @shaunwilson.bsky.social examines what the 2026 wage decision means for workers, and why it's more complicated than the headlines suggest. futurework.org.au/news/the-ann...

Great interview with the Centre's @davidpeetz.bsky.social about social class and voting for ABC Melbourne's The Conversation Hour – listen from the 3 minute mark 🎙️ www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

Class has always mattered, and now social democratic parties that sprung from a working class — including the Australian Labor Party – are finding out why. Read more from our Laurie Carmichael Distinguished Research Fellow @davidpeetz.bsky.social, for the Conversation.

Q: How much has the number of people who see themselves as ‘working class’ fallen? A: Zilch. theconversation.com/politicians-...

Are you interested in research and articles from the Centre of Future Work? Want to hear the latest news and updates from us? Sign up to our newsletter and we'll keep you in the loop on all of our latest work! mailchi.mp/futurework/c...

The International Court of Justice has decided that the right to strike is protected in a key international Convention, settling a long-running global dispute. But what does this decision mean for Australian workers? Dr Lisa Heap explains. futurework.org.au/news/top-int...

Want to better understand the economic arguments shaping our workplaces, industries, and rights at work? Join our Economics for Unionists course in Melbourne this July! It's a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge and strengthen your impact. Find out more: atui.org.au/course/econo...

The focus on a fairer tax system for workers leaves out more than four million Australians on welfare, many living in poverty, writes Stephen Long. satpa.pe/fJiobpL

What’s the Budget *really* about? For the quick answer:

Last night's Budget begins to tackle decades of rising inequality, as asset prices have outpaced wages and tax settings have favoured asset owners over workers. The spending side is less compelling. Great to be working with the team at @futurework.bsky.social

We've released our 2026–27 Budget Briefing, where we unpack what the Federal Budget really means for jobs, wages, living standards, and public services – and where it falls short for working people. Read our full analysis: futurework.org.au/report/budge...

The Centre for Future Work is now a standalone research centre! After an excellent decade at @australiainstitute.org.au we're looking forward to continuing our work as an independent centre, conducting and publishing progressive economic and social research on work, employment, and labour markets.

Imperatives for greater productivity growth should not blind us to the risks AI poses. @drfionamac.bsky.social, Director of @futurework.org.au, joined the AI symposium organised by the ACTU today to discuss the need for strong regulation. Our submission: futurework.org.au/report/submi...

We need tax reform to stop intergenerational inequality. Sally McManus in today's Guardian www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

If you bet on the winner of the Miles Franklin, your windfall is tax free but if you win the Miles Franklin you pay tax. There's an easy and cheap way for the gov to help our best artists and writers. Make prizes tax free. Thanks to @charlottewood.bsky.social & Melissa Lucashenko for their thoughts

There is little evidence of a "productivity crisis" in Australia, despite claims to the contrary from business leaders and politicians. Read new Centre for Future Work by Jim Stanford futurework.org.au/report/produ...