Powered by .id (informed decisions) for Australia
.id community is an evidence base for over 250 local government areas in Australia and New Zealand, helping you make informed decisions.
LEARN MORE ABOUT .id6,200,212 males living in Australia in 2021 were employed, of which 70% worked full-time and 23% part-time.
Australia's employment statistics are an important indicator of socio-economic status. The levels of full or part-time employment, unemployment and labour force participation indicate the strength of the local economy and social characteristics of the population. Employment status is linked to a number of factors including Age Structure, which influences the number of people in the workforce; the economic base and employment opportunities available in the area and; the education and skill base of the population (Occupations, Industries, Qualifications).
The two most important measures are:
- Unemployment rate - the number of people looking for work, as a percentage of the labour force (employed and unemployed over 15)
- Participation rate - the labour force expressed as a percentage of the total population over 15
Please note that in the 2021 Census, due to the COVID pandemic and lockdowns in many areas, the proportion of people who were employed but away from work in the week before Census has increased. We have no information on whether these people were normally employed full or part time so this is shown separately.
Q:
Derived from the Census question:
'Last week did the person have a full time or part time job of any kind?'
| Labour force status | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia - Males aged 15+ (Usual residence) | 2021 | 2016 | Change | ||||
| Labour force status | Number | % | Greater Capital Cities % | Number | % | Greater Capital Cities % | 2016 to 2021 |
| Total labour force (Participation rate) | 6,551,469 | 64.5 | 66.7 | 6,029,743 | 64.8 | 67.1 | +521,726 |
| Not in the labour force | 2,992,062 | 29.4 | 28.1 | 2,638,877 | 28.4 | 26.8 | +353,185 |
| Labour force status not stated | 617,784 | 6.1 | 5.2 | 637,193 | 6.8 | 6.2 | -19,409 |
| Total persons aged 15+ | 10,161,315 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 9,305,823 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +855,492 |
| Employment status | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia - Males in the labour force (Usual residence) | 2021 | 2016 | Change | ||||
| Employment status | Number | % | Greater Capital Cities % | Number | % | Greater Capital Cities % | 2016 to 2021 |
| Employed | 6,200,212 | 94.6 | 94.5 | 5,607,793 | 93.0 | 93.1 | +592,419 |
| Employed full-time | 4,344,048 | 66.3 | 65.8 | 4,176,927 | 69.3 | 69.6 | +167,121 |
| Employed part-time | 1,399,504 | 21.4 | 21.5 | 1,163,666 | 19.3 | 19.4 | +235,838 |
| Employed, away from work | 456,660 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 267,200 | 4.4 | 4.1 | +189,460 |
| Unemployed (Unemployment rate) | 351,257 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 421,950 | 7.0 | 6.9 | -70,693 |
| Looking for full-time work | 223,032 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 282,850 | 4.7 | 4.5 | -59,818 |
| Looking for part-time work | 128,225 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 139,100 | 2.3 | 2.4 | -10,875 |
| Total labour force | 6,551,469 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 6,029,743 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +521,726 |
Dominant groups
The size of Australia's male labour force in 2021 was 6,551,469, of which 1,399,504 were employed part-time and 4,344,048 were full time workers.
Analysis of the male employment status (as a percentage of the labour force) in Australia in 2021 compared to Greater Capital Cities shows that there was a similar proportion in employment, as well as a similar proportion unemployed. Overall, 94.6% of the male labour force was employed, and 5.4% unemployed, compared with 94.5% and 5.5% respectively for Greater Capital Cities.
Analysis of the labour force participation rate of the male population in Australia in 2021 shows that there was a lower proportion in the labour force (64.5%) compared with Greater Capital Cities (66.7%).
Emerging groups
Between 2016 and 2021, the number of males employed in Australia showed an increase of 592,419, and the number unemployed showed a decrease of 70,693. In the same period, the number of males in the labour force showed an increase of 521,726 or 8.7%.
DISCLAIMER: While all due care has been taken to ensure that the content of this website is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions in this website.
Please view our Privacy Policy, Terms of use and Legal notices.
ABS Data and the copyright in the ABS Data remains the property of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The copyright in the way .id has modified, transformed or reconfigured the ABS Data as published on this website remains the property of .id. ABS Data can be accessed from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at www.abs.gov.au. ABS data can be used under license - terms published on ABS website. intermediary.management@abs.gov.au if you have any queries or wish to distribute any ABS data.