Hard work a home truth for Australian women

TAKE a bow, ladies — Australian women are among the world’s hardest-working on the home front, according to a new OECD report.

TAKE a bow, ladies — Australian women are among the world’s hardest-working on the home front.

Activity by country

A new OECD report has found that of women in 26 countries, Australians rank fourth behind Turkey, Mexico, and Portugal in the number of hours each day spent doing unpaid work.

The analysis found women Down Under spend an average of 311 minutes slaving away in the kitchen, cleaning the house, caring for children and shopping.

Australian men contribute an average of 172 minutes to domestic chores daily.

The 2006 data show Australian women are among the least likely to take time out, dedicating an average of 269 minutes a day to leisure.

Aussie men managed nearly 30 minutes more (an average of 297 minutes).

The data is taken from national time-use surveys, based on samples of 4000 to 20,000 people.

Melbourne mum Bron Thomas, 33, juggles three children under 8, a puppy, a baking blog and part-time work as a fitness instructor and accountant.

“I would easily spend between 3-4 hours a day on unpaid work ... I could probably do more cleaning,’’ she says.

“My husband works full-time so he does less unpaid work, but then he works more paid hours than I do a week.

“I know Australian mums do heaps but I would’ve thought we would be similar to the UK and New Zealand.’’

CHORES NEVER END

WOMEN

Routine housework

Shopping - 36 minutes

Caring for household members - 64 minutes

Volunteering - 8 minutes

Travel related to household activities - 36 minutes

MEN

Routine housework

Shopping - 22 minutes

Caring for household members - 27 minutes

Volunteering - 4 minutes

Travel related to household activites - 25 minutes

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