Just transitions in the Australian automotive sector?

Figures & data

Table 1. Elements of Just Transition.

Coordination	Just Transition principles and processes
	Long-term planning
	Engaging with unions
	Engaging with communities
	Communication of plans
Redeploying workforces	Job guarantees and compensation
	Worker transition services
	Retraining workers
	Job quality
	Worker pensions
	The gender gap
	Role of education and research institutions
Regional economies	Diversifying economies
	Local infrastructure development
	Local government revenue streams
Social cohesion	Coal communities as social Identity
	Environmental remediation

Source: Weller et al. (2020); adapted from Pai et al. (2020)

Table 2. Timeline of the Australian automotive closures.

EVENT	DATE	MANUFACTURER	PLANT LOCATIONS
CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENTS	May 2013	Ford Australia
	Dec 2013	General Motors Holden (GMH)
	Feb 2014	Toyota Australia
PLANT CLOSURES	Oct 2016	Ford	Geelong, Campbellfield (VIC)
	Nov 2016	GMH	Port Melbourne (VIC)
	Oct 2017	GMH	Elizabeth (SA)
	Oct 2017	Toyota	Altona (VIC)

(Source: Irving et al., 2022)

Figure 1. Labour force status by year.

Note: Wave 1 n = 1277; Wave 2 n = 886; Wave 3 n = 783.

Figure 2. Change in employment situation, Waves 2 and 3.

Note: Wave 2 n = 679; Wave 3 n = 591.

Figure 3. Reason for job change from Wave 2 to Wave 3.

Note: Wave 2 n = 58; Wave 3 n = 38.

Figure 4. Remuneration by year.

Note: Wave 1 n = 824; Wave 2 n = 631; Wave 3 n = 561.

Figure 5. Weekly hours worked by year.

Note: Wave 1 n = 824; Wave 2 n = 631; Wave 3 n = 561.

Figure 6. Employment arrangement, three waves.

Note: Wave 1 n = 824; Wave 2 n = 603; Wave 3 n = 537.

Figure 7. Sense of security in main job, three waves.

Note: Wave 1 n = 824; Wave 2 n = 631; Wave 3 n = 550.

Figure 8. Incidence of financial stress as a result of leaving the auto industry, Waves 2 and 3.

Note: Wave 2 n = 886; Wave 3 n = 783.

Figure 9. Change in financial situation since interviewed/leaving auto-industry, by year.

Note: Wave 1 n = 1265; Wave 2 n = 886; Wave 3 n = 783.

Figure 10. Relevance of knowledge and skills from the auto industry, repeat cross-sectional.

Note: Wave 1 n = 824; Wave 2 n = 631; Wave 3 n = 550.

Figure 11. Job satisfaction with new employer, three waves.

Note: Wave 1 n = 824; Wave 2 n = 631; Wave 3 n = 550.

Figure 12. Median wages by gender, retrenchment to Wave 3.

Weller, S., Beer, A., Porter, J., & Veitch, W. (2020). Identifying measures of success for a global best-practice thermal coal mine and thermal coal-fired power station closure – Final Report. UniSA Business.

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Pai, S., Harrison, K., & Zerrifi, H. (2020). A systematic review of the key elements of a Just Transition for fossil fuel workers. Clean Economy Working Paper Series, Wp, 20–04. April.

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Irving, J., Beer, A., Weller, S., & Barnes, T. (2022). Plant closures in Australia’s automotive industry: Continuity and change. Regional Studies, Regional Science, 9(1), 5–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/21681376.2021.2016071

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