Intro
At a Turning Point
At a Turning Point
Contents
Abbreviations
Preface
The Australian policy context: Opportunities for a new social and gender contract
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Timing: The urgent need to turn policy around
1.3 A life course approach to work, care and family and the need for a new social contract that includes gender
1.4 Our focus in this volume
References
Reproductive policies: An expanding approach to work and care
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Reproductive policies in Australia: History and context
Current policy architecture

2.4 Entitlements in federal legislation
Personal ("sick") and carers leave
Leave for pregnancy loss
Employer entitlements
Menstruation and menopause policies
Family formation and pregnancy loss policies
Trade unions and bargaining
State government policies and regulations
2.5 Current debates and tensions
Design
Implementation
Evaluation and impact
2.6 Potential avenues for change
Public policy
Bargaining
Employer policy
2.7 Conclusion
References
Parental leave policy: Time to grow
3.1 Introduction

3.2 Current Australian policy architecture and terminology
3.3 The development and use of national statutory parental leave policies in Australia
The provision of unpaid maternity and parental leave
Use of unpaid parental leave
The introduction of Australia's Paid Parental Leave scheme
Use of the Paid Parental Leave scheme
3.4 Employer-provided paid parental leave
Public sector employer-paid parental leave
Private and non-government sector employer-paid parental leave
3.5 Current tensions and debates
Duration and gender-equal access
Level of pay
Superannuation

Private sector
3.6 The future and potential avenues for change
References
Early childhood education and care: Policy renewal for strong foundations
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Brief history and context of the policy in Australia
4.3 Current policy architecture
Funding for formal ECEC services
Workforce and quality regulation
4.4 Current policy tensions and debates
Aim and purpose of ECEC
Cost
Inflexible provision and access
Low-paid workforce
Complexity in design
A pandemic highlights tensions
4.5 Potential avenues for change
References

Flexible work policy: Building "good flex" across the life course
5.1 Introduction
5.2 The meaning of workplace flexibility
5.3 Current policy architecture
Casual employment
The right to request flexible work arrangements
Individual flexibility arrangements
5.4 Current debates and tensions
Training, entry and early career
Mid-career: Balancing work and family
Late career to retirement
5.5 Potential avenues for change
References
Informal care policy: Needs of older people and people with disability or chronic illness
6.1 Introduction