The Women and Work Research Group (WWRG) provides high quality research, research training and consultancy on all aspects of women's experience of work, employment, family and community in Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region.

WWRG Convenor: Dr Marian Baird, Associate Professor Work and Organisational Studies

Research Associate: Alexandra Heron

WWRG Coordinator: Karen Reeves

Members: Dr Susan Ainsworth, Dr Rae Cooper, Dr Leanne Cutcher, A/Professor Bradon Ellem, Dr Elizabeth Hill, Sarah Kaine, Professor Russell Lansbury, Helena Lui, Dr Susan McGrath-Champ, Dr Gabrielle Meagher, John Murray, Professor Joellen Riley, Dr Stuart Rosewarne, Dr Belinda Smith, Dr Diane van den Broek, Sue Williamson, Sarah Wise & Jeaney Yip

International Members: Professor Lotte Bailyn, MIT, USA; Associate Professor Peter Berg, Michigan State University, USA; Professor Sue Lewis, Middlesex University, UK; Professor Ruth Milkman, UCLA, USA.

Parental and Maternity Leave: Papers, Studies and Reports

In September 2008, the WWRG hosted a consultation workshop for the Productivity Commission and now congratulates the Productivity Commission on their final report.

In the 2009-2010 Budget, the Government announced that it will introduce a paid parental leave scheme on 1 January 2011 that is based closely on the recommendations of the final report of the Commission's Inquiry into Paid Parental Leave.

An outline of the announced scheme can be read on the website of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Parental Leave in Australia Study
For a comprehensive understanding of maternity and parental leave in Australia, visit the Parental Leave in Australia Study website. The study was undertaken by Associate Professors Gillian Whitehouse and Marian Baird and colleagues at the Universities of Queensland and Sydney.
Paid maternity, paternity and parental leave for Australia: An evaluation of the context, evidence and policy options PDF
Marian Baird, Jenni Whelan and Alison Page
This paper canvasses the research evidence in Australia and internationally on paid maternity and parental leave schemes.

Submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry into paid parental leave PDF
Dr Leanne Cutcher and Tilly Milroy

Annual Report

Women and Work Research Group Annual Report 2008 PDF

Women and Work Choices Reports

NSW Report

Down and Out with Work Choices: The Impact of Work Choices on the Work and Lives of Women in Low Paid Employment PDF
Marian Baird, Rae Cooper and Damian Oliver

ACT Report

More Work, Less Choice: The Impact of National Labour Re-Regulation on Low-Paid Women Workers in the Australian Capital Territory PDF
Bradon Ellem

National Reports

Women and WorkChoices: Impacts on the Low Pay Sector PDF
Jude Elton, Janis Bailey, Marian Baird, Sara Charlesworth, Rae Cooper, Bradon Ellem, Therese Jefferson, Fiona Macdonald, Damian Oliver, Barbara Pocock, Alison Preston and Gillian Whitehouse
Women and WorkChoices: Impacts on the Low Pay Sector - Summary Report PDF