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The aims of this report are first to determine reasons for participation and non-participation in the labour force by mature age people, and secondly to suggest policy options which might induce more mature age people to continue working to an older age than they do now. Mature age people are defined as those 45 and over, but the focus will be more on those aged 55 to 64 than on younger or older groups as they are potential early retirees. They are the group whose workforce participation has declined most since about 1970, and the group most likely to be responsive to policy interventions designed to increase participation. The main data source for the report is the HILDA (Household, Income and Labour Dynamics Australia) Survey for 2001-04. The report contains the following sections: (1) the brief, previous research, and conceptual framework; (2) the mature age population: who works, who doesn't and why?; (3) a model of financial incentives affecting decisions of mature age Australians to continue in work or retire; (4) do mature age workers have less chance of re-employment than their younger counterparts, and if so, why?; and (5) international evidence on factors affecting mature age workforce participation and discussion of policy options for Australia.