idc-logo
svg rectangle color
AustraliaCommunity profile

Australia

Industry sector of employment

More Australia male residents worked in construction than any other industry in 2021.

Australia'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
Australia - Employed males (Usual residence)20212016Change
Industry sectorNumber%Greater Capital Cities %Number%Greater Capital Cities %2016 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing191,5743.10.8185,2133.30.8+6,361
Mining174,6952.81.9149,0662.71.6+25,629
Manufacturing503,7358.18.1493,1238.88.8+10,612
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services99,7921.61.588,1071.61.4+11,685
Construction910,67614.714.2793,04014.113.9+117,636
Wholesale trade204,8483.33.6202,3283.64.0+2,520
Retail Trade481,0317.88.0453,2568.18.2+27,775
Accommodation and Food Services358,8405.85.6335,8776.06.0+22,963
Transport, Postal and Warehousing417,4426.77.2382,2646.87.2+35,178
Information Media and Telecommunications100,5831.62.0108,3251.92.4-7,742
Financial and Insurance Services219,8363.54.6186,4913.34.3+33,345
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services91,5191.51.688,6661.61.7+2,853
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services515,3298.310.0426,4077.69.2+88,922
Administrative and Support Services187,2463.03.1173,3243.13.3+13,922
Public Administration and Safety419,1006.86.1380,7586.86.1+38,342
Education and Training290,4094.74.8266,1054.74.8+24,304
Health Care and Social Assistance390,5256.36.4289,9595.25.3+100,566
Arts and Recreation Services94,6621.51.692,6631.71.8+1,999
Other Services227,8593.73.5215,4073.83.7+12,452
Inadequately described or not stated320,4735.25.4297,4045.35.6+23,069
Total employed persons aged 15+6,200,174100.0100.05,607,783100.0100.0+592,391
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 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 male resident population in Australia in 2021 shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Construction (910,676 males or 14.7%)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (515,329 males or 8.3%)
  • Manufacturing (503,735 males or 8.1%)

In combination, these three industries employed 1,929,740 males in total or 31.1% of the total employed male resident population.

In comparison, Greater Capital Cities employed 14.2% in Construction; 10.0% in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and 8.1% in Manufacturing.

The major differences between the jobs held by the male population of Australia and Greater Capital Cities were:

  • A larger percentage of males employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing (3.1% compared to 0.8%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed in professional, scientific and technical services (8.3% compared to 10.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed in financial and insurance services (3.5% compared to 4.6%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in Australia increased by 592,391 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the jobs held by the male resident population between 2016 and 2021 in Australia were for those employed in:

  • Construction (+117,636 males)
  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+100,566 males)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+88,922 males)
  • Public Administration and Safety (+38,342 males)

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.