New statistics from the ABS suggest that Australia’s ageing population will become a big factor in future approaches to work.

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that 14 per cent of Australians are aged over 65, a number expected to top 23 per cent by 2056. ABS estimates our longer working lives will lead to a larger percentage of adults caring for family members other than spouses or children – the bureau expects it to increase by about 4.6 per cent.

Experts say the shift means employers will have to consider the changed living arrangements in their work policies in order to become more flexible for an ageing population.

Daman Patterson, group manager of people and culture at Chandler Macleod, says: “Many business owners talk of workplace flexibility in terms of balancing work and family exclusively in the realm of children. However, a trend is emerging, especially given the impending retirement of baby boomers, showing the current workforce will need to balance the demands of their work with the duty of care towards their parents and grandparents.”

More at-home care, adjusted living arrangements and hours as well as the possibility of increased stress are some factors that employers and human resources departments will have to consider as we live and work longer.

“While having children may be perceived as a choice, having ageing parents is a reality, and businesses need to enact workforce strategies to best manage this,” Patteron said.

HR authorities say that flexible working arrangements to accommodate any shift in the home dynamic are possible, and that companies will have to be more sensitive or risk losing key staff to better working environments.

Suggestions for remaining flexible include: knowing the feasibility of adjusted arrangements; outlining current arrangements and initiatives to staff, who may not know they exist; facilitating discussion about employees’ situations and what can be done to bets accommodate their non-working lives; and finally, ensuring there is no stigma about having to make such allowances.