The Steppingstone Effect of Casual Employment in Australia: A Re-Examination*

Abstract

This study re-examines the steppingstone effect of casual employment using data covering a much longer period than that used in Buddelmeyer and Wooden (Industrial Relations, 50(1), 109–30, 2011). For males the steppingstone effect found in this study is similar to that in Buddelmeyer and Wooden (Industrial Relations, 50(1), 109–30, 2011). Whereas Buddelmeyer and Wooden (Industrial Relations, 50(1), 109–30, 2011) find no steppingstone effect of casual employment for females, this study shows the effects occur to them. The positive result for females appears to be driven by weakened labour market conditions. This suggests that for females the steppingstone effect of casual employment could be sensitive to broad economic conditions.