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AustraliaCommunity profile

South Australia

Industry sector of employment

More South Australia male residents worked in construction 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 males (Usual residence)20212016Change
Industry sectorNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2016 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing22,5405.23.121,8885.63.3+652
Mining8,9812.12.87,8462.02.7+1,135
Manufacturing43,32310.08.143,99511.48.8-672
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services8,3611.91.67,0211.81.6+1,340
Construction60,23814.014.749,36412.714.1+10,874
Wholesale trade13,9223.23.315,0373.93.6-1,115
Retail Trade36,2828.47.834,7959.08.1+1,487
Accommodation and Food Services24,7195.75.821,5545.66.0+3,165
Transport, Postal and Warehousing27,7316.46.724,6566.46.8+3,075
Information Media and Telecommunications5,3571.21.65,8911.51.9-534
Financial and Insurance Services9,9982.33.58,3412.23.3+1,657
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services4,9601.11.54,8031.21.6+157
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services28,5736.68.322,4425.87.6+6,131
Administrative and Support Services14,6403.43.012,5143.23.1+2,126
Public Administration and Safety30,0637.06.828,1217.36.8+1,942
Education and Training20,9974.94.719,2035.04.7+1,794
Health Care and Social Assistance30,5547.16.323,4936.15.2+7,061
Arts and Recreation Services5,7961.31.55,1881.31.7+608
Other Services17,3384.03.715,9004.13.8+1,438
Inadequately described or not stated17,2114.05.215,4734.05.3+1,738
Total employed persons aged 15+431,584100.0100.0387,525100.0100.0+44,059
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 South Australia in 2021 shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Construction (60,238 males or 14.0%)
  • Manufacturing (43,323 males or 10.0%)
  • Retail Trade (36,282 males or 8.4%)

In combination, these three industries employed 139,843 males in total or 32.4% of the total employed male resident population.

In comparison, Australia employed 14.7% in Construction; 8.1% in Manufacturing; and 7.8% in Retail Trade.

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

  • A larger percentage of males employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing (5.2% compared to 3.1%)
  • A larger percentage of males employed in manufacturing (10.0% compared to 8.1%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed in professional, scientific and technical services (6.6% compared to 8.3%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed in financial and insurance services (2.3% compared to 3.5%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in South Australia increased by 44,059 between 2016 and 2021.

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

  • Construction (+10,874 males)
  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+7,061 males)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+6,131 males)
  • Accommodation and Food Services (+3,165 males)

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