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AustraliaCommunity profile

South Australia

Occupation of employment

There were more female professionals 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 females (Usual residence)20212016Change
OccupationNumber%Queensland %Number%Queensland %2016 to 2021
Managers41,76910.210.333,8419.49.6+7,928
Professionals104,48225.625.386,23524.023.7+18,247
Technicians and Trades Workers19,3794.84.516,6744.64.5+2,705
Community and Personal Service Workers78,05819.118.063,61717.716.7+14,441
Clerical and Administrative Workers78,58519.320.076,06621.222.2+2,519
Sales Workers43,33610.610.944,55812.412.6-1,222
Machinery Operators And Drivers4,5351.11.73,3990.91.4+1,136
Labourers31,7577.87.729,6108.38.0+2,147
Not stated or inadequately described5,9101.41.64,5861.31.3+1,324
Total employed persons aged 15+407,810100.0100.0358,586100.0100.0+49,224
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 female resident population in South Australia in 2021 shows the three most popular occupations were:

  • Professionals (104,482 females or 25.6%)
  • Clerical and Administrative Workers (78,585 females or 19.3%)
  • Community and Personal Service Workers (78,058 females or 19.1%)

In combination these three occupations accounted for 261,125 females in total or 64.0% of the employed female resident population.

In comparison, Queensland employed 25.3% in Professionals; 20.0% in Clerical and Administrative Workers; and 18.0% in Community and Personal Service Workers.

The major difference between the jobs held by the female population of South Australia and Queensland was:

  • A larger percentage of females employed as Community and Personal Service Workers (19.1% compared to 18.0%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed females in South Australia increased by 49,224 between 2016 and 2021.

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

  • Professionals (+18,247 females)
  • Community and Personal Service Workers (+14,441 females)
  • Managers (+7,928 females)
  • Technicians and Trades Workers (+2,705 females)

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