Leading research in work and labour markets


The National Institute for Labour Studies (NILS) specialises in research and consulting in the fields of work and labour markets. We are renowned for combining rigorous analysis with a continuing concern for the wellbeing of people as workers, and our research is regularly used as a key resource by governments, business and interest groups. At the forefront of many labour market debates, the views and expertise of NILS’ staff are widely sought by the media and the broader community.

Founded in 1972 by Professor Keith Hancock, NILS is Australia’s oldest labour studies research centre. Since 1981, we have operated as an incorporated association, wholly owned by Flinders University. Under the leadership of Professors Richard Blandy, Judith Sloan, Mark Wooden and subsequently Sue Richardson, NILS has established a reputation for outstanding and timely work in labour studies. In August 2009  Professor Kostas Mavromaras accepted the position of Director. Kostas was previously employed at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economics and Social Research where he was Head of the Labour Economics and Social Policy area. Our success is measured by our record of publications, refereed journal articles, conference papers and citations.

NILS has an extensive program of research, both grant funded research and commissioned projects. Our research is often collaborative, with a record of working with colleagues from other disciplines and centres at Flinders, colleagues from other national and international universities, as well as with industry partners.

Details of NILS’ research are published in its annual reports. Information about our research projects is also available.

News from the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences » National Institute of Labour Studies

  • National Aged Care Workforce Census and Survey 2012
    Results from the long-awaited National Aged Care Workforce Census and Survey 2012 were publicly released at The 22nd Annual Tri-State Conference, themed Reform or Revolution, held in Albury on 26th February 2013. Associate Professor Debra King of the National Institute of Labour Studies, Flinders University, presented an overview of the 2012 findings and compared the [...]
  • Flinders University best student paper
    Congratulations to Linda Isherwood (Research Fellow NILS) whose submission for the 2012 Flinders University Best Student Paper, Isherwood, L., King, D.S., & Luszcz, M.A. (2012). A longitudinal analysis of social engagement in late-life widowhood. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 74, 211-229 has been selected as an outstanding article, and  will receive an award [...]
  • Coming soon: Report on the National Aged Care Workforce Census and Survey, 2011
    NILS has now completed the third National Aged Care Workforce Census and Survey covering aged care facilities and community aged care services throughout Australia. The final report has been submitted to the Department of Health and Ageing and now awaits approval and public release by the Minister. The aim of the Census and survey is [...]
  • National Sustainability Council of Australia
    Professor Sue Richardson has been appointed a member of the newly established ‘National Sustainability Council of Australia’. The Hon Tony Burke MP, said at a press release that the council would provide independent advice to the government on sustainability issues and produce public reports against a set of sustainability indicators. Read the entire news here [...]
  • Sue Richardson: Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor
    Professor Sue Richardson has been honoured with the inaugural award of the title of “Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor”. Fourteen eminent professors were presented with this award for their extensive contribution to the university across the field of teaching, research and leadership. http://blogs.flinders.edu.au/flinders-news/2012/10/22/flinders-honours-its-top-professors/
  • Dr Josh Healy was a keynote speaker at the National Skills Summit
    Dr Josh Healy (Research Fellow) was a keynote speaker at the National Skills Summit hosted by Curtin University in Perth on 30 August 2012. Josh was invited to present the findings of recent NILS research on skill shortages; a topic of considerable interest to Western Australia given the growth of the mining sector and the [...]
  • Second ISA Forum of Sociology, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1-4 August 2012
    Dr Debra King recently attended the ‘Second ISA Forum of Sociology’ held in Buenos Aires, 1-4 August  2012. The ISA Forum is devoted to ‘Social Justice and Democratization’ and provides an array of opportunities for a global dialogue about transformative change. Deb’s presentation titled ‘Whither the migrant workforce in community (in-home) aged care in Australia?’ [...]
  • 16th World Congress of the International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA)
    Dr Josh Healy (Research Fellow) attended the 16th World Congress of the International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA) in Philadelphia during July 2012. The event, held every three years, is the world’s largest gathering of industrial and labour relations scholars. Dr Healy’s presentation focused on the causes and consequences of skill shortages, drawing on [...]
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