Australian retirees contribute $16.5bn in unpaid work annually

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 08:02 · Archive

Australian retirees perform unpaid work equivalent to about 321,000 full-time jobs each year, with research valuing their contribution at $16.5bn annually. Retirees contribute an average 386.3 hours per year through unpaid care, volunteering, community leadership and mentoring, according to UniSuper's Retire with Purpose research.

Despite this significant contribution, 84 per cent of Australians surveyed believe retirees' skills and experience are not being used to their full potential. Another 2.5 million people are expected to enter retirement over the next decade.

Retiree Phil Williams, 76, from Newcastle, exemplifies this unpaid workforce, spending up to eight hours per week during summer teaching adults to swim at ocean baths. He began helping after noticing people struggling in the water. Mr Williams teaches adults from a range of backgrounds and ages, including migrants who can be highly anxious about entering the water. He described the rewards as witnessing achievements and the happiness of his students, noting that swimming offers adults significant physical and mental health benefits alongside social connection.

How it is being reported

• Australian retirees contribute $16.5bn in unpaid work each year, research revealsAustralian retirees are performing the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of full-time jobs through unpaid work each year.The West Australian · 17 Oct, 07:39
• Australian retirees contribute $16.5bn in unpaid work each year, research revealsAustralian retirees are performing the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of full-time jobs through unpaid work each year.Perth Now · 17 Oct, 07:38

In this story: Australian retirees · UniSuper · Phil Williams · Newcastle · Merewether · Australia

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