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South East QueenslandCommunity profile

South East Queensland

Industry sector of employment

More South East Queensland residents worked in health care and social assistance than any other industry in 2021.

South East Queensland'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
South East Queensland - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Industry sectorNumber%Greater Brisbane %Number%Greater Brisbane %2016 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing21,3501.20.820,1371.30.9+1,213
Mining20,4451.11.117,8691.11.2+2,576
Manufacturing106,6325.86.196,9856.26.5+9,647
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services19,8071.11.215,6271.01.1+4,180
Construction172,0889.48.6148,0959.48.6+23,993
Wholesale trade44,9412.52.643,8112.83.0+1,130
Retail Trade170,0809.39.0156,1019.99.5+13,979
Accommodation and Food Services129,3007.16.4113,9197.26.5+15,381
Transport, Postal and Warehousing87,1974.85.479,3325.05.7+7,865
Information Media and Telecommunications20,4011.11.121,2801.41.4-879
Financial and Insurance Services55,8523.13.347,4063.03.2+8,446
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services34,9341.91.834,1432.22.0+791
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services142,4927.88.5113,1057.27.9+29,387
Administrative and Support Services62,9793.43.457,2833.63.5+5,696
Public Administration and Safety108,0305.96.799,0106.37.1+9,020
Education and Training163,1188.99.0142,5209.19.2+20,598
Health Care and Social Assistance285,37215.615.3207,74313.213.1+77,629
Arts and Recreation Services31,6031.71.527,6521.81.5+3,951
Other Services70,8633.93.860,6813.93.8+10,182
Inadequately described or not stated83,1024.54.569,0354.44.3+14,067
Total employed persons aged 15+1,830,586100.0100.01,571,734100.0100.0+258,852
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 South East Queensland in 2021 shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (285,372 people or 15.6%)
  • Construction (172,088 people or 9.4%)
  • Retail Trade (170,080 people or 9.3%)

In combination, these three industries employed 627,540 people in total or 34.3% of the total employed resident population.

In comparison, Greater Brisbane employed 15.3% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 8.6% in Construction; and 9.0% in Retail Trade.

There were no major differences between South East Queensland and Greater Brisbane in 2021.

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in South East Queensland increased by 258,852 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the jobs held by the resident population between 2016 and 2021 in South East Queensland were for those employed in:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+77,629 persons)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+29,387 persons)
  • Construction (+23,993 persons)
  • Education and Training (+20,598 persons)

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