The subject of this thesis is the economics of working time in Great Britain and Australia, with special reference to the length and timing of working hours. First, the incidence of and trends in work patterns, in Great Britain and Australia, are examined. The incidence of and trends in, normal hours, actual hours, overtime and part-time work in Britain and Australia, show a great deal of similarity. It is more difficult to compare "non-standard working hours" (hours outside of the normal spread of hours, e.g. shift work) because of problems with the data. It is clear, however, that non-standard hours of work are important in both countries.