Earnings levels are also lower in terms of annual and hourly wages but, for part-timers, once other demographic and job characteristics are taken into account, the differences in hourly wages tend to disappear. On the other hand, compared with permanent workers, temporary workers face substantial wage penalties, earnings instability and slower wage growth. But the household constellation matters: low-income and poverty risks are five and ten times higher respectively if NSW is the main source of earnings rather than if NSW live with a standard worker.