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South East Queensland

Industry sector of employment

More South East Queensland residents worked in health care and social assistance than any other industry in 2021.

South East Queensland's industry statistics identify the industry sectors in which the residents work (which may be within the residing area or elsewhere). This will be influenced by the skill base and socio-economic status of the residents as well as the industries and employment opportunities present in the region.

When viewed in conjunction with Residents Place of Work data and Method of Travel to Work, industry sector statistics provide insights into the relationship between the economic and residential role of the area.

Q:

Derived from the two Census questions:

'What best describes the business of your employer?' and 'What are the main goods produced or main services provided by your employers business?'

Industry sector of employment
South East Queensland - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212011Change
Industry sectorNumber%New South Wales %Number%New South Wales %2011 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing16,6801.02.011,9700.92.2+4,710
Mining19,2701.11.016,2521.21.0+3,018
Manufacturing101,2275.85.5121,1228.78.4-19,895
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services18,8301.11.015,4181.11.1+3,412
Construction165,4029.48.6126,7529.17.3+38,650
Wholesale trade43,0682.52.854,8893.94.4-11,821
Retail Trade162,8119.39.0149,09410.710.3+13,717
Accommodation and Food Services124,5617.16.296,1406.96.7+28,421
Transport, Postal and Warehousing84,1114.84.672,6905.24.9+11,421
Information Media and Telecommunications19,9511.11.820,2181.52.3-267
Financial and Insurance Services53,9663.15.344,2843.25.0+9,682
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services34,0131.91.727,4182.01.6+6,595
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services138,8577.98.9107,3937.77.9+31,464
Administrative and Support Services61,1013.53.247,6073.43.3+13,494
Public Administration and Safety103,3885.96.191,9816.66.1+11,407
Education and Training154,5478.88.7110,3177.97.9+44,230
Health Care and Social Assistance270,72315.514.4170,18812.211.6+100,535
Arts and Recreation Services30,8341.81.422,4611.61.5+8,373
Other Services67,5993.93.452,9283.83.7+14,671
Inadequately described or not stated80,1384.64.632,0962.32.5+48,042
Total employed persons aged 15+1,751,077100.0100.01,391,218100.0100.0+359,859
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2011 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

An analysis of the jobs held by the resident population in South East Queensland in 2021 shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (270,723 people or 15.5%)
  • Construction (165,402 people or 9.4%)
  • Retail Trade (162,811 people or 9.3%)

In combination, these three industries employed 598,936 people in total or 34.2% of the total employed resident population.

In comparison, New South Wales employed 14.4% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 8.6% in Construction; and 9.0% in Retail Trade.

The major differences between the jobs held by the population of South East Queensland and New South Wales were:

  • A larger percentage of persons employed in health care and social assistance (15.5% compared to 14.4%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons employed in financial and insurance services (3.1% compared to 5.3%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing (1.0% compared to 2.0%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in South East Queensland increased by 359,859 between 2011 and 2021.

The largest changes in the jobs held by the resident population between 2011 and 2021 in South East Queensland were for those employed in:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+100,535 persons)
  • Education and Training (+44,230 persons)
  • Construction (+38,650 persons)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+31,464 persons)

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