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AustraliaCommunity profile

Northern Territory

Occupation of employment

There were more professionals in Northern Territory in 2021 than any other occupation.

Northern Territory'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 Northern Territory'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
Northern Territory - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
OccupationNumber%Victoria %Number%Victoria %2016 to 2021
Managers13,84312.914.012,51712.213.5+1,326
Professionals23,57822.025.020,64920.123.3+2,929
Technicians and Trades Workers14,75913.812.616,18415.813.1-1,425
Community and Personal Service Workers16,80315.711.014,17813.810.6+2,625
Clerical and Administrative Workers14,10213.212.414,10013.713.3+2
Sales Workers6,9426.58.37,0166.89.7-74
Machinery Operators And Drivers5,5515.25.95,8795.75.8-328
Labourers9,0998.58.89,6449.49.0-545
Not stated or inadequately described2,3632.22.02,5362.51.7-173
Total employed persons aged 15+107,035100.0100.0102,703100.0100.0+4,332
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 resident population in Northern Territory in 2021 shows the three most popular occupations were:

  • Professionals (23,578 people or 22.0%)
  • Community and Personal Service Workers (16,803 people or 15.7%)
  • Technicians and Trades Workers (14,759 people or 13.8%)

In combination these three occupations accounted for 55,140 people in total or 51.5% of the employed resident population.

In comparison, Victoria employed 25.0% in Professionals; 11.0% in Community and Personal Service Workers; and 12.6% in Technicians and Trades Workers.

The major differences between the jobs held by the population of Northern Territory and Victoria were:

  • A larger percentage of persons employed as Community and Personal Service Workers (15.7% compared to 11.0%)
  • A larger percentage of persons employed as Technicians and Trades Workers (13.8% compared to 12.6%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons employed as Professionals (22.0% compared to 25.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons employed as Sales Workers (6.5% compared to 8.3%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in Northern Territory increased by 4,332 between 2016 and 2021.

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

  • Professionals (+2,929 persons)
  • Community and Personal Service Workers (+2,625 persons)
  • Technicians and Trades Workers (-1,425 persons)
  • Managers (+1,326 persons)

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