While some sectors may still harbour outdated attitudes about age, a quiet revolution is happening across Australian workplaces.
From hardware stores to hospitals, tourism to manufacturing, smart employers are recognising what career coaches have long known—that grey hair often comes with golden skills.
The numbers tell a compelling story. While the mature age unemployment rate sits at just 2.8 per cent for those aged 55-64, with a relatively strong participation rate of 69.6 per cent, there's a catch.
When older workers do lose their jobs, they face the greatest difficulty finding new ones—taking an average of 20 months compared to just nine months for workers aged 15-54.
The good news? There are entire industries actively seeking out the wisdom, patience, and depth of knowledge that come with experience.
Where experience beats youth every time
Career coach Leah Lambart hits the nail on the head when she identifies the sectors where 'lived experience and having a bit of grey hair is probably seen as a positive.'
Her list of age-friendly industries—healthcare, community services, aged care, manufacturing, and retail—isn't just wishful thinking. It's backed by hard data and real success stories.
'There's certain industries where that lived experience and having a bit of grey hair is probably seen as a positive'
Take Bunnings, Australia's beloved hardware giant. The company estimates a quarter of its workforce is aged over 50, adopting this as a deliberate and successful employment strategy. Over a third of Bunnings' workforce is over 50, with some employees even in their 80s.
As Bunnings' leadership puts it: 'We find they have patience and a depth of knowledge, and they love teaching the younger workers'. It's not just feel-good rhetoric—the company notes that experienced workers naturally become teachers, meaning 'we don't have to run as much training, because it just happens informally'.
Australia's changing workforce demographics
27 per cent of Australia's population is now 55 or older, up from 20 per cent in 1996
Labour force participation for 55-64 year olds has jumped to 67 per cent, from just 47 per cent in early 2000
One third of organisations report at least half their workforce is over 55
Some 221,000 potential workers aged 55+ want to work but aren't actively looking
The tourism sector, still recovering from pandemic losses, is another standout. Chris Porter from the Victorian Tourism Industry Council notes that 'the most valued people that we see in our industry are the most mature,' particularly as the sector seeks workers aged 35 to 60 to rebuild after losing two-thirds of its workforce during COVID.
The retail revival story
Beyond Bunnings, major Australian retailers are embracing older workers in impressive numbers. While Woolworths might be Australia's largest supermarket by revenue, Coles actually tops the list for most-searched employer with 24,000 monthly career searches, followed by Woolworths with 21,000.
Both companies offer employment opportunities for all age groups, 'from school kids looking for their first job, to older Australians re-entering' the workforce. Woolworths has specific initiatives to attract, recruit and retain mature workers, recognising they 'bring significant benefits to the workplace including life experience and stability'.
The manufacturing success story comes from companies like Chobani Australia, whose Dandenong plant considers older workers 'critical' to their organisation. As their People and Culture manager explains, 'They're actually our most skilled people in our team... we couldn't operate without them'.
Government support that was (and what's available now)
Until July 2024, the Australian government's Skills Checkpoint program was a game-changer for mature workers. The program provided up to 10,000 eligible older Australians per year with advice and guidance to help them transition into new roles or find pathways to new careers, alongside up to $2,200 in training funding through the Skills and Training Incentive.
While that specific program has ended, support still exists through various state programs and organisations like WISE Employment, which provides thousands of job opportunities each year for older workers with disabilities, injuries, or illness.
Smart job search strategies for mature workers
- Target age-friendly employers by checking their websites and social media for inclusion policies and diverse imagery
- Update your resume to focus on the last 15 years and demonstrate tech literacy through your LinkedIn profile
- Consider 'returnships' or volunteer positions as stepping stones back into the workforce
- If transitioning from senior roles to less demanding positions, focus on relevant skills rather than highlighting overqualification
- Register with specialist job boards like olderworkers.com.au that list opportunities from age-friendly employers specifically looking for older workers
The economic reality driving change
This isn't just about being nice—it's about necessity. Since the global financial crisis, workers 55 and over have accounted for around half the increase in total hours worked in the Australian economy. With almost half of white collar professions facing skills shortages and job openings rising from 286 in 2022 to 332 in 2023, employers can't afford to overlook this talent pool.
The shift in attitudes is measurable. More than 1000 companies, including major names like Woolworths, Commonwealth Bank and Allianz Insurance, have signed up to specialist job boards targeting older workers, actively seeking their 'mentoring capabilities and experience.'
Success breeds success
The proof is in real stories. Terry Cole, 63, found his niche in Bunnings' power gardening section after decades as a fitter, turner, electrician and electrical mechanic. 'Having a mechanical knowledge, I can describe to people how to look after their equipment,' he says, with his grandchildren proudly calling him 'Mr-Fix-It'.
One of Leah Lambart's clients, who was nervous about re-entering the job market after redundancy, landed a role within six weeks by focusing on organisations where she could leverage her industry experience in age-friendly sectors.
The practical steps forward
For those ready to re-enter the workforce or switch careers, the path is clearer than many assume. Libraries offer free online learning, while websites like Alison.com provide courses in everything from Excel to ChatGPT—perfect for bridging any technology gaps.
The landscape for mature workers in Australia has never been more promising. While challenges remain—particularly the concerning trend of one in five employers still considering workers 'too old' - the tide is turning.
Smart employers are discovering what career coaches have long known: experience isn't a liability, it's an asset.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Labour force participation by Australians 65 and over has more than doubled since 2000, while 39.6 per cent now expect to retire between 66-70 years of age, with 17.4 per cent planning to work until 71-75—meaning the number of older workers will continue growing significantly.
Whether you're 55 or 75, looking for your first post-retirement role or your fifth career change, there are employers out there who don't just tolerate grey hair—they celebrate it. The key is knowing where to look and how to position your decades of wisdom as the competitive advantage it truly is.
Have you found success re-entering the workforce later in life, or do you know of other companies that actively welcome mature workers? We'd love to hear your experiences and recommendations in the comments below—your insights could be exactly what another reader needs to take their next career step.
Original Article
https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/...il-tourism-healthcare-are-great-for-over-50s/
Mature age workers and the labour market—REOS special report | Jobs and Skills Australia
Cited text: While the mature age unemployment rate is low, at 2.8 per cent in June 2024, and participation rate relatively strong for 55-64-year-olds at 69.6 per cent, when matur...
Excerpt: While the mature age unemployment rate sits at just 2.8 per cent for those aged 55-64, with a relatively strong participation rate of 69.6 per cent
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/news/mature-age-workers-and-labour-market-reos-special-report
Mature age workers and the labour market—REOS special report | Jobs and Skills Australia
Cited text: ABS data shows it took on average around 20-months for a mature age worker to find a new job, compared to approximately nine months for 15-54-year-old...
Excerpt: When older workers do lose their jobs, they face the greatest difficulty finding new ones—taking an average of 20 months compared to just nine months for workers aged 15-54
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/news/mature-age-workers-and-labour-market-reos-special-report
Age old wisdom—WYZA
Cited text: The Australian hardware leader Bunnings Warehouse estimates a quarter of its workforce is aged over 50, and has adopted the policy as a deliberate—a...
Excerpt: The company estimates a quarter of its workforce is aged over 50, adopting this as a deliberate and successful employment strategy
https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/work/employment/age-old-wisdom
The Age Paradox: Older workers can be a tool to business success—Australian Ageing Agenda
Cited text: Over a third of Bunnings’ workforce is over 50, with some employees even in their 80s.
Excerpt: Over a third of Bunnings' workforce is over 50, with some employees even in their 80s
https://www.australianageingagenda....er-workers-can-be-a-tool-to-business-success/
Bunnings nails down older workers
Cited text: “We find they have patience and a depth of knowledge, and they love teaching the younger workers.
Excerpt: As Bunnings' leadership puts it: 'We find they have patience and a depth of knowledge, and they love teaching the younger workers'
https://olderworkers.com.au/news/bunnings-nails-down-older-workers/
The Age Paradox: Older workers can be a tool to business success—Australian Ageing Agenda
Cited text: They say old people don’t pick up things, but that’s rubbish!” · Pruys says an advantage of hiring experienced workers is that not only do they pass o...
Excerpt: the company notes that experienced workers naturally become teachers, meaning 'we don't have to run as much training, because it just happens informally'
https://www.australianageingagenda....er-workers-can-be-a-tool-to-business-success/
Australia's Workforce is Older Than It's Ever Been, Creating New Challenges—Indeed Hiring Lab Australia
Cited text: Almost 27 per cent of Australia’s population is 55 or older, up from 24 per cent in 2006 and 20 per cent in 1996.
Excerpt: 27 per cent of Australia's population is now 55 or older, up from 20 per cent in 1996
https://www.hiringlab.org/au/blog/2017/11/15/older-australian-workers/
Australia's Workforce is Older Than It's Ever Been, Creating New Challenges—Indeed Hiring Lab Australia
Cited text: For people between 55 and 64, participation has increased to 67 per cent, from 47 per cent in early 2000.
Excerpt: Labour force participation for 55-64 year olds has jumped to 67 per cent, from just 47 per cent in early 2000
https://www.hiringlab.org/au/blog/2017/11/15/older-australian-workers/
Australia's Workforce is Older Than It's Ever Been, Creating New Challenges—Indeed Hiring Lab Australia
Cited text: For people between 55 and 64, participation increased to 67 per cent, from 47 per cent in early 2000.
Excerpt: Labour force participation for 55-64 year olds has jumped to 67 per cent, from just 47 per cent in early 2000
https://www.hiringlab.org/au/blog/2017/11/15/older-australian-workers/
Employing and retaining older workers (2021) | Australian Human Rights Commission
Cited text: This means that the number of older workers in our organisations is increasing, with one third of respondents saying at least half of their workforce ...
Excerpt: One third of organisations report at least half their workforce is over 55
https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work...ns/employing-and-retaining-older-workers-2021
Mature age workers and the labour market—REOS special report | Jobs and Skills Australia
Cited text: Some 221,000 potential workers (that is, those who wanted to work) aged 55 and over are not actively looking for work, with one in five employers cons...
Excerpt: Some 221,000 potential workers aged 55+ want to work but aren't actively looking
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/news/mature-age-workers-and-labour-market-reos-special-report
Coles beats Woolworths for most searched for job. Here’s other in-demand companies
Cited text: Woolworths may be Australia's largest supermarket by revenue, but according to a recent study of Google search data, Coles is the most sought aft...
Excerpt: While Woolworths might be Australia's largest supermarket by revenue, Coles actually tops the list for most-searched employer with 24,000 monthly career searches, followed by Woolworths with 21,000
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/c...eres-other-in-demand-companies-194124570.html
Coles beats Woolworths for most searched for job. Here’s other in-demand companies
Cited text: And, like Woolworths, Coles offers employment opportunities for all age groups, from school kids looking for their first job, to older Australians re-...
Excerpt: Both companies offer employment opportunities for all age groups, 'from school kids looking for their first job, to older Australians re-entering' the workforce
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/c...eres-other-in-demand-companies-194124570.html
Age old wisdom—WYZA
Cited text: Woolworths has a number of initiatives regarding mature workers to attract, recruit and retain this part of the workforce. “We know our mature age wor...
Excerpt: Woolworths has specific initiatives to attract, recruit and retain mature workers, recognising they 'bring significant benefits to the workplace including life experience and stability'
https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/work/employment/age-old-wisdom
Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers Program—Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government
Cited text: The Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers Program (the Skills Checkpoint Program) provides up to 10,000 eligible older Australians per year with advice ...
Excerpt: The program provided up to 10,000 eligible older Australians per year with advice and guidance to help them transition into new roles or find pathways to new careers
https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-checkpoint-older-workers-program
Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers Program—Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government
Cited text: The Incentive provides up to $2,200 (GST inclusive) to jointly fund training to help individuals build skills to remain in the workforce longer.
Excerpt: up to $2,200 in training funding through the Skills and Training Incentive
https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-checkpoint-older-workers-program
Jobs and Careers for Older People (Employment for Over 50s)
Cited text: See how we help · Each year, we provide thousands of job opportunities for older, mature aged workers who have a disability, injury or illness.
Excerpt: provides thousands of job opportunities each year for older workers with disabilities, injuries, or illness
https://wiseemployment.com.au/jobs-for-older-people/
Older Workers
Cited text: All job listings are from age-friendly employers looking for older workers.
Excerpt: list opportunities from age-friendly employers specifically looking for older workers
Australia's Workforce is Older Than It's Ever Been, Creating New Challenges—Indeed Hiring Lab Australia
Cited text: Since the beginning of the global financial crisis, workers 55 and over have accounted for around half the increase in total hours worked in the Austr...
Excerpt: Since the global financial crisis, workers 55 and over have accounted for around half the increase in total hours worked in the Australian economy
https://www.hiringlab.org/au/blog/2017/11/15/older-australian-workers/
Coles beats Woolworths for most searched for job. Here’s other in-demand companies
Cited text: The new study comes at a time when almost half of white collar professions are suffering in a skills shortage. Jobs and Skills Australia found earlier...
Excerpt: With almost half of white collar professions facing skills shortages and job openings rising from 286 in 2022 to 332 in 2023
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/c...eres-other-in-demand-companies-194124570.html
Bunnings nails down older workers
Cited text: The older workers generally command more respect.” · Matt Higgins, the founder of online job bulletin board Olderworkers, said many employers had reco...
Excerpt: More than 1000 companies, including major names like Woolworths, Commonwealth Bank and Allianz Insurance, have signed up to specialist job boards targeting older workers
https://olderworkers.com.au/news/bunnings-nails-down-older-workers/
The Age Paradox: Older workers can be a tool to business success—Australian Ageing Agenda
Cited text: “Having a mechanical knowledge, I can describe to people how to look after their equipment, so I enjoy that,” says Terry Cole, 63, who works in the po...
Excerpt: 'Having a mechanical knowledge, I can describe to people how to look after their equipment,' he says, with his grandchildren proudly calling him 'Mr-Fix-It'
https://www.australianageingagenda....er-workers-can-be-a-tool-to-business-success/
The Age Paradox: Older workers can be a tool to business success—Australian Ageing Agenda
Cited text: They love coming to Bunnings and are proud that Pop’s working here. My grandson calls me Mr-Fix-It,” he says.
Excerpt: 'Having a mechanical knowledge, I can describe to people how to look after their equipment,' he says, with his grandchildren proudly calling him 'Mr-Fix-It'
https://www.australianageingagenda....er-workers-can-be-a-tool-to-business-success/
Australia's Workforce is Older Than It's Ever Been, Creating New Challenges—Indeed Hiring Lab Australia
Cited text: And the trend is even more dramatic among those who have reached traditional retirement age—labour force participation by people 65 and over has more ...
Excerpt: Labour force participation by Australians 65 and over has more than doubled since 2000
https://www.hiringlab.org/au/blog/2017/11/15/older-australian-workers/
Employing and retaining older workers (2021) | Australian Human Rights Commission
Cited text: At the same time, many of us plan to work longer with the majority of respondents expecting to retire between 66-70 years of age (39.6 per cent), an increase ...
Excerpt: 39.6 per cent now expect to retire between 66-70 years of age, with 17.4 per cent planning to work until 71-75
https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work...ns/employing-and-retaining-older-workers-2021
