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AustraliaCommunity profile

Australia

Occupation of employment

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

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 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
Australia - Employed males (Usual residence)20212016Change
OccupationNumber%Greater Capital Cities %Number%Greater Capital Cities %2016 to 2021
Managers993,35316.015.8875,70115.615.2+117,652
Professionals1,261,96720.423.31,057,62118.921.5+204,346
Technicians and Trades Workers1,294,80520.919.41,221,34721.820.6+73,458
Community and Personal Service Workers398,8206.46.2348,1906.26.2+50,630
Clerical and Administrative Workers378,7356.16.9349,8046.27.1+28,931
Sales Workers386,9256.26.4386,2526.97.1+673
Machinery Operators And Drivers661,47910.79.9602,52710.79.8+58,952
Labourers692,32411.29.9655,15811.710.5+37,166
Not stated or inadequately described131,8202.12.1111,2352.02.0+20,585
Total employed persons aged 15+6,200,199100.0100.05,607,835100.0100.0+592,364
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 Australia in 2021 shows the three most popular occupations were:

  • Technicians and Trades Workers (1,294,805 males or 20.9%)
  • Professionals (1,261,967 males or 20.4%)
  • Managers (993,353 males or 16.0%)

In combination these three occupations accounted for 3,550,125 males in total or 57.3% of the employed male resident population.

In comparison, Greater Capital Cities employed 19.4% in Technicians and Trades Workers; 23.3% in Professionals; and 15.8% in Managers.

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

  • A larger percentage of males employed as Technicians and Trades Workers (20.9% compared to 19.4%)
  • A larger percentage of males employed as Labourers (11.2% compared to 9.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed as Professionals (20.4% compared to 23.3%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in Australia increased by 592,364 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the occupations of male residents between 2016 and 2021 in Australia were for those employed as:

  • Professionals (+204,346 males)
  • Managers (+117,652 males)
  • Technicians and Trades Workers (+73,458 males)
  • Machinery Operators And Drivers (+58,952 males)

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