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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)20212011Change
Industry sectorNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2011 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing31,6373.82.328,8093.92.5+2,828
Mining10,9691.31.89,6761.31.8+1,293
Manufacturing60,4457.25.977,90810.59.0-17,463
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services10,8211.31.19,9361.31.1+885
Construction69,6488.38.955,5947.58.2+14,054
Wholesale trade19,7682.42.625,8703.54.0-6,102
Retail Trade81,1819.79.183,07411.210.5-1,893
Accommodation and Food Services55,4786.66.546,2656.36.5+9,213
Transport, Postal and Warehousing34,4804.14.530,7094.24.8+3,771
Information Media and Telecommunications8,5961.01.410,6021.41.8-2,006
Financial and Insurance Services23,1212.83.722,0743.03.8+1,047
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services10,1081.21.69,4371.31.6+671
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services52,0376.27.840,5325.57.3+11,505
Administrative and Support Services31,6453.83.225,4223.43.2+6,223
Public Administration and Safety55,8306.76.652,2427.16.9+3,588
Education and Training73,9378.88.858,6367.98.0+15,301
Health Care and Social Assistance137,25016.414.5100,59313.611.6+36,657
Arts and Recreation Services11,7371.41.69,3171.31.5+2,420
Other Services33,0023.93.628,8193.93.8+4,183
Inadequately described or not stated27,7333.34.413,8481.92.3+13,885
Total employed persons aged 15+839,423100.0100.0739,363100.0100.0+100,060
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 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 100,060 between 2011 and 2021.

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

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+36,657 persons)
  • Manufacturing (-17,463 persons)
  • Education and Training (+15,301 persons)
  • Construction (+14,054 persons)

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