The results of the Australian Geoscientist Employment Survey for the September Quarter of 2015 show no improvement in employment prospects for Australia geoscientists. The survey recorded the highest levels of geoscientist unemployment and underemployment since the survey series commenced in 2009. Australian geoscientist unemployment in the September quarter of 2015 was 15.5% nationally, up slightly from the June quarter result of 15.2%. The underemployment rate was 21.2%, a significant increase on the 19.9% recorded in June.
More than one third of underemployed geoscientists were unable to secure more than 10% of their desired workload.
A total of 926 responses were received to the survey from both AIG members and non-members. Responses were received from the full spectrum of professional geoscience experience, from new graduates to geoscientists with more than 30 years experience.
Unemployment and underemployment rates varied between states. Insufficient responses were received from Tasmania and the Northern Territory to report meaningful state results.
Investment in exploration also needs to be supported to promote sustainability and maintain the Australian resource project pipeline, which underpins the national economic prosperity, has a significant employment multiplier, and drives innovation which improves productivity and leads to the development of new goods and services.
The human element of this protracted downturn has not received adequate attention. The cyclical nature of geoscience employment in Australia needs to be considered. Taxation measures such as income averaging or income splitting, where the working member of a couple is able to allocate part of their income to a partner who cannot work, or cannot secure work, need to be carefully considered. Income splitting has been shown to be highly effective in Canada where it enables many productive individuals to stay in work in difficult times, said Mr. Spilsbury, AIG President.
Resource Portal for I2M Clients, Associates, and Geoscientists
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-