Work participation is a critical social determinant of health. This webinar examines new national evidence on employment disparities affecting LGBTIQ+ Australians and the implications for policy and system reform. This webinar will present new national evidence on work participation among LGBTIQ+ Australians using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. The session will examine disparities in employment, labour force participation, job type and working conditions, and consider what these patterns reveal about structural barriers and discrimination, and the implications for health equity. 

Work is a key social determinant of health, influencing financial security, access to leave, social connection and long-term wellbeing. This research provides important insights for policymakers, employers and health and social service organisations seeking to address structural inequities affecting LGBTIQ+ populations. 

Despite strong policy attention to workplace inclusion, nationally representative evidence on employment outcomes for LGBTIQ+ Australians has been limited. This study identifies measurable disparities, including higher unemployment among gay, lesbian and bisexual people, greater labour force non-participation and employment instability among bisexual people, fewer working hours among trans and gender-diverse people, and evidence of transitions out of employment and increased use of sick leave among some groups. Together, these findings suggest the presence of systemic barriers beyond individual qualifications, likely reflecting discrimination, workplace exclusion and the cumulative impacts of minority stress. 

Presentation by

Dr Dee Tomic (She/Her)

Dr Dee Tomic (she/her) is a Research Fellow at the Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health and a medically trained epidemiologist. Her research focuses on work, health and equity among LGBTIQ+ Australians. She is currently leading the Pride at Work Study, a national mixed-methods project funded by Pride Foundation Australia, examining LGBTIQ+ workers’ mental health and their views on priorities for building inclusive workplaces. Her work informs government policy and workplace practice to improve health and economic outcomes.