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AustraliaCommunity profile

South Australia

Industry sector of employment

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

South 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
South Australia - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212006Change
Industry sectorNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2006 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing31,6373.82.331,9804.63.1-343
Mining10,9691.31.85,9660.91.2+5,003
Manufacturing60,4457.25.988,48612.810.5-28,041
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services10,8211.31.17,4381.11.0+3,383
Construction69,6488.38.946,0826.77.8+23,566
Wholesale trade19,7682.42.625,7943.74.4-6,026
Retail Trade81,1819.79.181,39511.811.3-214
Accommodation and Food Services55,4786.66.540,3765.96.3+15,102
Transport, Postal and Warehousing34,4804.14.528,7404.24.7+5,740
Information Media and Telecommunications8,5961.01.410,7501.61.9-2,154
Financial and Insurance Services23,1212.83.721,9863.23.8+1,135
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services10,1081.21.69,5751.41.7+533
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services52,0376.27.836,1745.26.6+15,863
Administrative and Support Services31,6453.83.223,2603.43.1+8,385
Public Administration and Safety55,8306.76.644,8716.56.7+10,959
Education and Training73,9378.88.852,3757.67.7+21,562
Health Care and Social Assistance137,25016.414.586,22012.510.5+51,030
Arts and Recreation Services11,7371.41.67,9441.21.4+3,793
Other Services33,0023.93.626,2553.83.7+6,747
Inadequately described or not stated27,7333.34.414,2292.12.6+13,504
Total employed persons aged 15+839,423100.0100.0689,896100.0100.0+149,527
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006 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 Australia in 2021 shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (137,250 people or 16.4%)
  • Retail Trade (81,181 people or 9.7%)
  • Education and Training (73,937 people or 8.8%)

In combination, these three industries employed 292,368 people in total or 34.8% of the total employed resident population.

In comparison, Australia employed 14.5% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 9.1% in Retail Trade; and 8.8% in Education and Training.

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

  • A larger percentage of persons employed in health care and social assistance (16.4% compared to 14.5%)
  • A larger percentage of persons employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing (3.8% compared to 2.3%)
  • A larger percentage of persons employed in manufacturing (7.2% compared to 5.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons employed in professional, scientific and technical services (6.2% compared to 7.8%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in South Australia increased by 149,527 between 2006 and 2021.

The largest changes in the jobs held by the resident population between 2006 and 2021 in South Australia were for those employed in:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+51,030 persons)
  • Manufacturing (-28,041 persons)
  • Construction (+23,566 persons)
  • Education and Training (+21,562 persons)

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