JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Australians are living longer and are expected to remain in the workforce for longer, yet many older adults struggle to secure employment despite being willing and able to work. A growing share of these individuals are “hidden workers,” those underutilised in the labour market due to missed hours, long-term unemployment, or withdrawal from job seeking despite capacity to work. This group reflects a global trend of ageing yet underused workforces, and in Australia they represent a significant proportion of the working-age population. Addressing the challenges of hidden workers is crucial, as their inclusion could help meet labour market demands, alleviate fiscal pressures of ageing, and promote healthier, more equitable ageing trajectories.

Objective:

This intersectional mixed-methods study has three overarching aims: first, to investigate how intersecting social identities (e.g., age, gender, cultural background, health status, and caregiving responsibilities) shape hidden workforce participation and associated health outcomes among older Australians; second, to compare hidden workers with currently employed populations in order to identify health discrepancies between the two groups; and third, to explore the lived experiences of hidden workers, focusing on how intersecting and multiply disadvantaged identities impose additional burdens on employment outcomes and health status. Together, these objectives will generate an integrated understanding of both structural and lived dimensions of hidden work, providing evidence to inform more equitable labour market and health policies.

Methods:

This study employs an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design to investigate the health, resources, and employment experiences of older hidden workers in Australia. In Phase 1, an online cross-sectional survey was administered to 1,166 participants (696 hidden workers aged 45+ and 470 current workers), capturing variables on employment history, health, discrimination, workplace social capital, caregiving, and socioeconomic status. Validated instruments, including the Workplace Age Discrimination Scale, Intersectional Anticipated Discrimination Scale, and Workplace Social Capital Index, were incorporated to ensure reliability. Phase 2 will involve semi-structured interviews with a purposive subsample (30 participants) identified from survey results, focusing on lived experiences of workforce exclusion and intersecting barriers. In Phase 3, quantitative and qualitative findings will be integrated through triangulation and complementarity to provide a comprehensive understanding of hidden workers’ challenges and assets, generating evidence to inform policy and stakeholder recommendations.

Results:

As of August 2025, the online survey has been completed, and the recruitment for interview participants will start in September. The results from aim 1 will be published in 2026.

Conclusions:

This study will generate the first intersectional evidence on the health and employment challenges of older hidden workers in Australia. These insights will inform tailored policy interventions that can support re-engagement, reduce inequities in health and wellbeing, and strengthen workforce participation. Ultimately, the findings will contribute to addressing skills shortages while promoting social and economic inclusion of older Australians.