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LEARN MORE ABOUT .idThere were more professionals 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.
'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 | |||||||
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Australia - Employed persons (Usual residence) | 2021 | 2016 | Change | ||||
Occupation | Number | % | Australia % | Number | % | Australia % | 2016 to 2021 |
Managers | 1,645,776 | 13.7 | 13.7 | 1,390,044 | 13.0 | 13.0 | +255,732 |
Professionals | 2,886,920 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 2,370,965 | 22.2 | 22.2 | +515,955 |
Technicians and Trades Workers | 1,554,315 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 1,447,404 | 13.5 | 13.5 | +106,911 |
Community and Personal Service Workers | 1,382,210 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 1,157,010 | 10.8 | 10.8 | +225,200 |
Clerical and Administrative Workers | 1,525,304 | 12.7 | 12.7 | 1,449,672 | 13.6 | 13.6 | +75,632 |
Sales Workers | 986,437 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 1,000,958 | 9.4 | 9.4 | -14,521 |
Machinery Operators And Drivers | 755,868 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 670,111 | 6.3 | 6.3 | +85,757 |
Labourers | 1,086,128 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 1,011,523 | 9.5 | 9.5 | +74,605 |
Not stated or inadequately described | 226,476 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 186,161 | 1.7 | 1.7 | +40,315 |
Total employed persons aged 15+ | 12,049,415 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 10,683,848 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +1,365,567 |
An analysis of the jobs held by the resident population in Australia in 2021 shows the three most popular occupations were:
In combination these three occupations accounted for 6,087,011 people in total or 50.5% of the employed resident population.
In comparison, Australia employed 24.0% in Professionals; 13.7% in Managers; and 12.9% in Technicians and Trades Workers.
There were no major differences between Australia and Australia in 2021.
The number of employed people in Australia increased by 1,365,567 between 2016 and 2021.
The largest changes in the occupations of residents between 2016 and 2021 in Australia were for those employed as:
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