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AustraliaCommunity profile

South Australia

Occupation of employment

There were more male technicians and trades workers in South Australia in 2021 than any other occupation.

South Australia's occupation statistics quantify the occupations in which the residents work (which may be within the residing area or elsewhere). This will be influenced by the economic base and employment opportunities available in the area, education levels, and the working and social aspirations of the population. When viewed with other indicators, such as Educational Qualifications and Individual Income, Occupation is a key measure for evaluating South Australia's socio-economic status and skill base.

Q:

Derived from the two Census questions:

'In the main job held last week, what was the person's occupation?' and 'What are the main tasks that the person himself/herself usually performs in that occupation?'

Occupation of employment
South Australia - Employed males (Usual residence)20212006Change
OccupationNumber%New South Wales %Number%New South Wales %2006 to 2021
Managers67,63815.717.061,48216.622.4+6,156
Professionals75,97317.622.458,15715.710.3+17,816
Technicians and Trades Workers91,08421.119.382,25222.322.1+8,832
Community and Personal Service Workers31,4647.36.018,6085.04.5+12,856
Clerical and Administrative Workers26,3756.16.423,4536.34.0+2,922
Sales Workers27,6696.46.325,1736.85.9+2,496
Machinery Operators And Drivers46,14610.710.240,14210.912.6+6,004
Labourers56,33013.110.353,54414.516.4+2,786
Not stated or inadequately described8,9272.12.16,6521.81.8+2,275
Total employed persons aged 15+431,597100.0100.0369,463100.0100.0+62,134
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 male resident population in South Australia in 2021 shows the three most popular occupations were:

  • Technicians and Trades Workers (91,084 males or 21.1%)
  • Professionals (75,973 males or 17.6%)
  • Managers (67,638 males or 15.7%)

In combination these three occupations accounted for 234,695 males in total or 54.4% of the employed male resident population.

In comparison, New South Wales employed 19.3% in Technicians and Trades Workers; 22.4% in Professionals; and 17.0% in Managers.

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

  • A larger percentage of males employed as Labourers (13.1% compared to 10.3%)
  • A larger percentage of males employed as Technicians and Trades Workers (21.1% compared to 19.3%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed as Professionals (17.6% compared to 22.4%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed as Managers (15.7% compared to 17.0%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in South Australia increased by 62,134 between 2006 and 2021.

The largest changes in the occupations of male residents between 2006 and 2021 in South Australia were for those employed as:

  • Professionals (+17,816 males)
  • Community and Personal Service Workers (+12,856 males)
  • Technicians and Trades Workers (+8,832 males)
  • Managers (+6,156 males)

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