Grandparents have been highlighted as playing an essential role in childcare duties for young mothers across the country.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed that 27 per cent of mothers who return to work after giving birth rely on grandparents as their main provider of childcare.
ABS director of labour force and supplementary surveys Cassandra Gligora added: "The survey results show that 86 per cent of women who returned to work after the birth of their child used at least one flexible work arrangement to assist with the care of their child."
She added that most women (76 per cent) returned to work on a part-time basis.
Earlier this month, further research from the ABS revealed the average life expectancy for Australians continues to increase. It found that a boy born in 2012 is likely to live to the ripe old age of 79.7 years, while a girl could expect to live until she is 84.2
Posted by Craig Francis