idc-logo
svg rectangle color
AustraliaCommunity profile

Regional Australia

Industry sector of employment

More Regional Australia residents worked in health care and social assistance than any other industry in 2021.

Regional Australia's industry statistics identify the industry sectors in which the residents work (which may be within the residing area or elsewhere). This will be influenced by the skill base and socio-economic status of the residents as well as the industries and employment opportunities present in the region.

When viewed in conjunction with Residents Place of Work data and Method of Travel to Work, industry sector statistics provide insights into the relationship between the economic and residential role of the area.

Q:

Derived from the two Census questions:

'What best describes the business of your employer?' and 'What are the main goods produced or main services provided by your employers business?'

Industry sector of employment
Regional Australia - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212006Change
Industry sectorNumber%Australia %Number%Australia %2006 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing224,8426.02.3239,4468.03.1-14,604
Mining112,4103.01.867,4712.21.2+44,939
Manufacturing225,6516.05.9291,0529.710.5-65,401
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services47,3061.31.135,6711.21.0+11,635
Construction351,2029.48.9254,1498.57.8+97,053
Wholesale trade78,2882.12.696,3393.24.4-18,051
Retail Trade352,1989.49.1358,99312.011.3-6,795
Accommodation and Food Services276,8267.46.5218,9447.36.3+57,882
Transport, Postal and Warehousing147,7763.94.5130,8744.44.7+16,902
Information Media and Telecommunications27,6460.71.434,6971.21.9-7,051
Financial and Insurance Services66,0571.83.761,5312.03.8+4,526
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services49,8181.31.648,0361.61.7+1,782
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services169,3814.57.8116,9503.96.6+52,431
Administrative and Support Services117,6613.13.280,9402.73.1+36,721
Public Administration and Safety236,4026.36.6194,1036.56.7+42,299
Education and Training332,2138.98.8233,0827.87.7+99,131
Health Care and Social Assistance581,60015.514.5318,81910.610.5+262,781
Arts and Recreation Services51,7431.41.636,0621.21.4+15,681
Other Services144,1013.83.6110,2893.73.7+33,812
Inadequately described or not stated150,7324.04.476,3332.52.6+74,399
Total employed persons aged 15+3,743,853100.0100.03,003,781100.0100.0+740,072
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 resident population in Regional Australia in 2021 shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (581,600 people or 15.5%)
  • Retail Trade (352,198 people or 9.4%)
  • Construction (351,202 people or 9.4%)

In combination, these three industries employed 1,285,000 people in total or 34.3% of the total employed resident population.

In comparison, Australia employed 14.5% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 9.1% in Retail Trade; and 8.9% in Construction.

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

  • A larger percentage of persons employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing (6.0% compared to 2.3%)
  • A larger percentage of persons employed in mining (3.0% compared to 1.8%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons employed in professional, scientific and technical services (4.5% compared to 7.8%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons employed in financial and insurance services (1.8% compared to 3.7%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in Regional Australia increased by 740,072 between 2006 and 2021.

The largest changes in the jobs held by the resident population between 2006 and 2021 in Regional Australia were for those employed in:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+262,781 persons)
  • Education and Training (+99,131 persons)
  • Construction (+97,053 persons)
  • Manufacturing (-65,401 persons)

DISCLAIMER: While all due care has been taken to ensure that the content of this website is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions in this website.

Please view our Privacy Policy, Terms of use and Legal notices.

ABS Data and the copyright in the ABS Data remains the property of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The copyright in the way .id has modified, transformed or reconfigured the ABS Data as published on this website remains the property of .id. ABS Data can be accessed from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at www.abs.gov.au. ABS data can be used under license - terms published on ABS website. intermediary.management@abs.gov.au if you have any queries or wish to distribute any ABS data.