idc-logo
svg rectangle color
AustraliaCommunity profile

Queensland

Industry sector of employment

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

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
Queensland - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Industry sectorNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2016 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing62,4442.62.360,6082.82.5+1,836
Mining55,4862.31.849,9972.31.7+5,489
Manufacturing140,2855.75.9128,7836.06.4+11,502
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services28,8141.21.123,8841.11.1+4,930
Construction222,2349.18.9191,3389.08.5+30,896
Wholesale trade57,7432.42.656,3712.62.9+1,372
Retail Trade226,4689.39.1211,7809.99.9+14,688
Accommodation and Food Services175,8507.26.5156,6727.36.9+19,178
Transport, Postal and Warehousing115,8704.74.5108,0845.14.7+7,786
Information Media and Telecommunications23,3791.01.425,2671.21.7-1,888
Financial and Insurance Services62,4362.63.754,2902.53.6+8,146
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services42,9311.81.642,5022.01.7+429
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services164,1296.77.8133,6526.37.3+30,477
Administrative and Support Services81,9263.43.275,3363.53.4+6,590
Public Administration and Safety150,3586.26.6140,1696.66.7+10,189
Education and Training216,0158.88.8192,1479.08.7+23,868
Health Care and Social Assistance375,51115.414.5276,94813.012.6+98,563
Arts and Recreation Services37,5501.51.633,6681.61.7+3,882
Other Services95,7683.93.683,4703.93.7+12,298
Inadequately described or not stated108,8934.54.491,5034.34.4+17,390
Total employed persons aged 15+2,444,090100.0100.02,136,469100.0100.0+307,621
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 resident population in Queensland in 2021 shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (375,511 people or 15.4%)
  • Retail Trade (226,468 people or 9.3%)
  • Construction (222,234 people or 9.1%)

In combination, these three industries employed 824,213 people in total or 33.7% of the total employed resident population.

In comparison, Australia employed 14.5% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 9.1% in Retail Trade; and 8.9% in Construction.

The major differences between the jobs held by the population of Queensland and Australia were:

  • A smaller percentage of persons employed in financial and insurance services (2.6% compared to 3.7%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons employed in professional, scientific and technical services (6.7% compared to 7.8%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in Queensland increased by 307,621 between 2016 and 2021.

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

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+98,563 persons)
  • Construction (+30,896 persons)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+30,477 persons)
  • Education and Training (+23,868 persons)

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.