Australia’s population is now more than 25 million. The workforce numbers are
approximately 12.5 million and the characteristics have changed over the past 25 years, especially in terms of age, gender, and educational qualifications. These changes have implications for all aspects of the management of human resources, from attraction through to selection, retention, career development, remuneration, performance management, and job design.

To achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness and global competitiveness, the concept of flexibility has become the driving force for the restructuring of many organizations in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. For employers, it refers to the ability to vary employee numbers, hours, and place of work to meet variation in demand for the product or service. For employees, it refers to their ability to have flexible hours, times, schedules, and places of work in order to meet their work, family, and life demands.