What if the majority of working parents today juggle two careers—and we’ve barely noticed?

The latest research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies reveals five game-changing trends in how families with children navigate work.

These shifts aren’t just statistics—they’re signals that our workplaces must evolve if we’re serious about closing the gender pay gap.

In my whitepaper, Closing the Gender Pay Gap, I explore how organisations can turn these insights into decisive action on parental leave, flexible roles, and career progression for carers.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll unpack each trend and share practical tips for leaders and HR teams.

Here are the five key insights:

1️⃣ Dual Parental Employment Has Risen Sharply

• Trend: Both parents worked in 71% of couple families with kids under 15 in 2022—up from 56% in 2000 and 40% in 1979.

2️⃣ Mothers’ Participation Is Growing but Remains Gendered

• Snapshot: Only 60% of partnered mothers with infants were employed in 2021—just 29% for single mothers—but by child age 1, those rates jump to 69% and 38% respectively.

3️⃣ Parental Leave Uptake Is Transforming “Employment” Measures

• Zero-Hour Roles: Mothers on leave now make up 32% of “employed but zero hours” in 2021—versus just 5% in 1991.

4️⃣ Fathers’ Employment Patterns Are Stable but Part-Time Work Is Rising

• High Participation: Over 90% of fathers with kids under 15 worked in 2022, with part-time roles doubling to 12%.

5️⃣ Same-Sex Parents Reflect Similar Gendered Dynamics

• Family Diversity: Female couples mirror opposite-sex part-time rates (47%), while male couples lead on dual full-time work (33%).

Which of these trends surprises you most? Stay tuned for practical, data-backed strategies to help your organisation lead the way.