idc-logo
svg rectangle color
AustraliaCommunity profile

Regional Australia

Industry sector of employment

More Regional Australia male residents worked in construction 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 males (Usual residence)20212016Change
Industry sectorNumber%Victoria %Number%Victoria %2016 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing156,1608.22.8152,8418.82.9+3,319
Mining95,0015.00.589,8195.20.5+5,182
Manufacturing165,3868.79.3160,2439.210.5+5,143
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services37,5752.01.634,6542.01.6+2,921
Construction304,03815.915.7257,14914.813.9+46,889
Wholesale trade55,0782.93.551,4193.03.9+3,659
Retail Trade141,9567.48.0136,4787.98.5+5,478
Accommodation and Food Services115,8996.15.6101,9035.95.9+13,996
Transport, Postal and Warehousing113,1695.96.9108,3926.26.9+4,777
Information Media and Telecommunications15,6800.81.917,0441.02.2-1,364
Financial and Insurance Services26,0301.44.122,8301.33.8+3,200
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services22,2581.21.422,3781.31.5-120
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services82,8284.39.070,2054.08.4+12,623
Administrative and Support Services53,7422.83.047,7892.83.2+5,953
Public Administration and Safety128,1566.75.5118,3646.85.1+9,792
Education and Training83,7724.44.877,2924.54.9+6,480
Health Care and Social Assistance118,5376.25.987,0905.04.9+31,447
Arts and Recreation Services25,3141.31.724,0291.42.0+1,285
Other Services76,8544.03.571,9344.13.7+4,920
Inadequately described or not stated91,7524.85.484,0674.85.6+7,685
Total employed persons aged 15+1,909,185100.0100.01,735,920100.0100.0+173,265
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 Regional Australia in 2021 shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Construction (304,038 males or 15.9%)
  • Manufacturing (165,386 males or 8.7%)
  • Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (156,160 males or 8.2%)

In combination, these three industries employed 625,584 males in total or 32.8% of the total employed male resident population.

In comparison, Victoria employed 15.7% in Construction; 9.3% in Manufacturing; and 2.8% in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing.

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

  • A larger percentage of males employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing (8.2% compared to 2.8%)
  • A larger percentage of males employed in mining (5.0% compared to 0.5%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed in professional, scientific and technical services (4.3% compared to 9.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of males employed in financial and insurance services (1.4% compared to 4.1%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed males in Regional Australia increased by 173,265 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the jobs held by the male resident population between 2016 and 2021 in Regional Australia were for those employed in:

  • Construction (+46,889 males)
  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+31,447 males)
  • Accommodation and Food Services (+13,996 males)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+12,623 males)

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.