Explores the connections between work, care and justice. Argues that Australia is currently missing the opportunity to build a better society that is happier and more sustainable for its citizens in the longer term. Work regimes should meet fundamental tests of justice: that, from the perspective of a just society, work regimes should enlarge and assure particular human capacities that can be seen as universally essential for those who labour in a civilized society. Because of significant changes in our social fabric, these are not the basic rights or capacities that our forebears thought necessary a century ago. Describes ten basic capabilities as essential if workers are to work in a just regime and if Australia is to sustain its labour market.