Western Australia
Occupation of employment
There were more professionals in Western Australia in 2016 than any other occupation.
Western 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 Western Australia's socio-economic status and skill base.
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?'
Employed persons aged 15 years and over
| Occupation of employment | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Australia - Employed persons (Usual residence) | 2016 | 2011 | Change | |||||
| Occupation | Number | % | Greater Capital Cities % | Number | % | Greater Capital Cities % | 2011 to 2016 | |
| Managers | 139,350 | 12.0 | 12.8 | 133,834 | 12.2 | 12.3 | +5,516 | 15001 |
| Professionals | 237,229 | 20.5 | 24.4 | 218,315 | 19.9 | 23.6 | +18,914 | 15002 |
| Technicians and Trades Workers | 187,398 | 16.2 | 12.9 | 183,311 | 16.7 | 13.5 | +4,087 | 15003 |
| Community and Personal Service Workers | 122,890 | 10.6 | 10.4 | 103,382 | 9.4 | 9.3 | +19,508 | 15004 |
| Clerical and Administrative Workers | 150,406 | 13.0 | 14.2 | 158,152 | 14.4 | 15.7 | -7,746 | 15005 |
| Sales Workers | 102,334 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 94,612 | 8.6 | 9.4 | +7,722 | 15006 |
| Machinery Operators And Drivers | 86,392 | 7.5 | 5.8 | 83,871 | 7.6 | 6.0 | +2,521 | 15007 |
| Labourers | 112,599 | 9.7 | 8.4 | 106,226 | 9.7 | 8.2 | +6,373 | 15008 |
| Not stated or inadequately described | 19,132 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 16,175 | 1.5 | 1.9 | +2,957 | 15009 |
| Total employed persons aged 15+ | 1,157,730 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 1,097,878 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +59,852 | |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing (opens a new window) 2011 and 2016. Compiled and presented by .id (opens a new window)(informed decisions).
(Usual residence data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Dominant groups
An analysis of the jobs held by the resident population in Western Australia in 2016 shows the three most popular occupations were:
- Professionals (237,229 people or 20.5%)
- Technicians and Trades Workers (187,398 people or 16.2%)
- Clerical and Administrative Workers (150,406 people or 13.0%)
In combination these three occupations accounted for 575,033 people in total or 49.7% of the employed resident population.
In comparison, Greater Capital Cities employed 24.4% in Professionals; 12.9% in Technicians and Trades Workers; and 14.2% in Clerical and Administrative Workers.
The major differences between the jobs held by the population of Western Australia and Greater Capital Cities were:
- A larger percentage of persons employed as Technicians and Trades Workers (16.2% compared to 12.9%)
- A larger percentage of persons employed as Machinery Operators And Drivers (7.5% compared to 5.8%)
- A larger percentage of persons employed as Labourers (9.7% compared to 8.4%)
- A smaller percentage of persons employed as Professionals (20.5% compared to 24.4%)
Emerging groups
The number of employed people in Western Australia increased by 59,852 between 2011 and 2016.
The largest changes in the occupations of residents between 2011 and 2016 in Western Australia were for those employed as:
- Community and Personal Service Workers (+19,508 persons)
- Professionals (+18,914 persons)
- Clerical and Administrative Workers (-7,746 persons)
- Sales Workers (+7,722 persons)