A PUSH to retain sexagenarians in the workforce is set to be a major challenge for the south-west over the next decade, experts say.
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The federal government’s Intergenerational Report released this week has outlined a three-decade plan to keep more Australians in the workforce past the traditional 65-year retirement mark.
South-west Victoria has a higher proportion of residents aged between 55 and 70 years compared to the state and national average, particularly in the 55 to 59 age bracket.
Treasurer Joe Hockey launched the report this week and called for Australians to consider staying in the workforce past 60 or 65 years, either on a full-time or part-time basis.
WDEA site manager Chris Quigley said employers were more and more receptive to employing older workers with ageism less prevalent than a decade ago.
He said mature-aged workers were generally more reliable and their experience in a particular field was of value to businesses large and small.
“There used to be a view, maybe 10 or 15 years ago, that older workers were not computer savvy but that’s no longer the case,” Mr Quigley said. “More older Australians are able to use a computer in the workplace and employers understand that.
“Most south-west employers understand the benefits of employing senior workers. People who have been in the workforce for a long period of time have acquired considerable skills and knowledge, it makes sense.”
Focused on demographic changes over the coming three decades, the Intergenerational Report estimated that Australia’s population will expand from 24 million in 2015 to 39.7 million by 2055.
Wannon MP Dan Tehan said Australia’s ageing population presented both challenges and opportunities over the coming decades.
“I very much take the glass half-full approach,” Mr Tehan said.
“Australians are living longer and that trend is set to continue. There are benefits that come out of this in that Australians in their 60s can continue to make a contribution to the workforce, that business can benefit from their knowledge in a particular area whereas before they would have simply retired.”
More than 40,000 citizens born in 1955 or before are expected to still be alive to reach their 100th birthday, according to the report, with a record number of centenarians.
Life expectancy in 2055 is set to be 95.1 years for men and 96.6 for women, more than a decade older than present rates.