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The Australian government is concerned about the effects that the ageing of the Australian population may have on the economy, due to a prospective reduction in the relative size of the labour force. To inform its advocacy to government, the Brotherhood of St Laurence is investigating workforce non-participation among Australian baby boomers. The broad aim of the current research project is to investigate why such a large proportion of Australian baby boomers do not participate in the workforce in Australia. The project will examine social, economic and personal implications of government policy. This literature review provides a theoretical, historical and policy overview as context for the multi-method study. The review provides a brief background to locate the importance of non-participation among baby boomers and the relevance of the research. This is followed by a discussion of sociological perspectives and concepts relevant to workforce non-participation which are used in the review (sections three and four). Section five is an outline of social and policy changes over the life-course of the baby boomer cohort, decade by decade, with a focus on work-related issues. In section six, some themes from the life-course outline are explored further through recent research literature. Then general conclusions and observations about the baby boomer cohort are discussed, followed by recommendations for facilitating and promoting baby boomers' re-engagement with the workforce (sections seven, eight and nine).

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