The Association Between Indigenous Australians’ Labour Force Participation Rates and Access to Transport
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Keywords
Economics of minorities, labour force participation, transport access
Abstract
This paper examines the factors associated with the labour force participation rates of Indigenous Australians. Emphasis is placed on the role that vehicle ownership, holding a valid driver’s licence and having access to public transport has on Indigenous Australians’ labour force participation decisions. Access to transportation has been widely regarded as a key barrier to employment for many minority groups, including the Indigenous population. The paper finds that Indigenous Australians who own a car or have a driver’s licence have a higher probability of participating in the labour market. Indigenous Australians with cars or driver’s licences also have a higher probability of being an active job seeker relative to those not in the labour force. The findings suggest that improved access to transportation for the Indigenous population should have a positive impact on their employment outcomes.