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AustraliaCommunity profile

Regional Australia

Occupation of employment

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

Regional 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 Regional 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
Regional Australia - Employed males (Usual residence)20212011Change
OccupationNumber%Greater Brisbane %Number%Greater Brisbane %2011 to 2021
Managers310,61716.314.6291,92116.814.0+18,696
Professionals254,27813.321.4215,33212.419.7+38,946
Technicians and Trades Workers466,40224.420.0438,75925.221.9+27,643
Community and Personal Service Workers129,4676.86.592,5845.35.7+36,883
Clerical and Administrative Workers79,1844.16.874,1254.37.4+5,059
Sales Workers115,4756.06.5105,6416.17.1+9,834
Machinery Operators And Drivers241,47012.610.9237,71613.710.9+3,754
Labourers270,76114.211.2249,26914.311.2+21,492
Not stated or inadequately described41,5392.22.034,9042.02.0+6,635
Total employed persons aged 15+1,909,189100.0100.01,740,251100.0100.0+168,938
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 male resident population in Regional Australia in 2021 shows the three most popular occupations were:

  • Technicians and Trades Workers (466,402 males or 24.4%)
  • Managers (310,617 males or 16.3%)
  • Labourers (270,761 males or 14.2%)

In combination these three occupations accounted for 1,047,780 males in total or 54.9% of the employed male resident population.

In comparison, Greater Brisbane employed 20.0% in Technicians and Trades Workers; 14.6% in Managers; and 11.2% in Labourers.

The major differences between the jobs held by the male population of Regional Australia and Greater Brisbane were:

  • A larger percentage of males employed as Technicians and Trades Workers (24.4% compared to 20.0%)
  • A larger percentage of males employed as Labourers (14.2% compared to 11.2%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed as Professionals (13.3% compared to 21.4%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed as Clerical and Administrative Workers (4.1% compared to 6.8%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in Regional Australia increased by 168,938 between 2011 and 2021.

The largest changes in the occupations of male residents between 2011 and 2021 in Regional Australia were for those employed as:

  • Professionals (+38,946 males)
  • Community and Personal Service Workers (+36,883 males)
  • Technicians and Trades Workers (+27,643 males)
  • Labourers (+21,492 males)

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