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AustraliaCommunity profile

New South Wales

Industry sector of employment

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

New South Wales'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
New South Wales - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212011Change
Industry sectorNumber%New South Wales %Number%New South Wales %2011 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing74,7282.02.069,5402.22.2+5,188
Mining35,4061.01.031,1961.01.0+4,210
Manufacturing201,6545.55.5264,8438.48.4-63,189
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services35,5841.01.034,1751.11.1+1,409
Construction315,5208.68.6230,1007.37.3+85,420
Wholesale trade103,4662.82.8138,8434.44.4-35,377
Retail Trade331,4869.09.0324,74710.310.3+6,739
Accommodation and Food Services227,4666.26.2210,3876.76.7+17,079
Transport, Postal and Warehousing169,6084.64.6155,0914.94.9+14,517
Information Media and Telecommunications68,0681.81.872,5222.32.3-4,454
Financial and Insurance Services193,6795.35.3158,3925.05.0+35,287
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services62,6331.71.751,6201.61.6+11,013
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services326,5958.98.9247,3127.97.9+79,283
Administrative and Support Services117,9883.23.2102,3263.33.3+15,662
Public Administration and Safety222,9096.16.1192,6356.16.1+30,274
Education and Training322,2368.78.7248,9217.97.9+73,315
Health Care and Social Assistance529,17614.414.4364,31511.611.6+164,861
Arts and Recreation Services51,7891.41.446,2821.51.5+5,507
Other Services125,3803.43.4117,6333.73.7+7,747
Inadequately described or not stated168,7864.64.677,4462.52.5+91,340
Total employed persons aged 15+3,684,157100.0100.03,138,326100.0100.0+545,831
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 New South Wales in 2021 shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (529,176 people or 14.4%)
  • Retail Trade (331,486 people or 9.0%)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (326,595 people or 8.9%)

In combination, these three industries employed 1,187,257 people in total or 32.2% of the total employed resident population.

In comparison, New South Wales employed 14.4% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 9.0% in Retail Trade; and 8.9% in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services.

There were no major differences between New South Wales and New South Wales in 2021.

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in New South Wales increased by 545,831 between 2011 and 2021.

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

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+164,861 persons)
  • Construction (+85,420 persons)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+79,283 persons)
  • Education and Training (+73,315 persons)

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