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Western Australia Parliamentary LibraryCommunity profile

South West Region

Industry sector of employment

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

South West Region'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 West Region - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Industry sectorNumber%Pilbara %Number%Pilbara %2016 to 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing7,6375.00.67,1465.30.5+491
Mining12,5028.130.49,0186.734.4+3,484
Manufacturing11,9667.82.810,6297.82.9+1,337
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services2,3151.51.81,9911.51.5+324
Construction15,29010.08.714,73410.97.0+556
Wholesale trade2,5571.72.02,2431.71.9+314
Retail Trade15,1889.95.614,96011.05.5+228
Accommodation and Food Services11,7787.74.99,6577.15.2+2,121
Transport, Postal and Warehousing5,2693.46.64,8163.66.4+453
Information Media and Telecommunications7180.50.39370.70.4-219
Financial and Insurance Services1,7721.20.31,8331.40.5-61
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services2,0261.31.82,2351.62.0-209
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services5,4163.52.14,7673.52.4+649
Administrative and Support Services4,8043.13.74,4323.34.1+372
Public Administration and Safety7,4104.85.46,6434.94.9+767
Education and Training12,9348.47.211,5968.66.0+1,338
Health Care and Social Assistance20,05213.17.315,17411.25.8+4,878
Arts and Recreation Services1,8571.20.71,8601.40.6-3
Other Services5,8803.83.35,2253.93.7+655
Inadequately described or not stated6,1064.04.25,6384.24.2+468
Total employed persons aged 15+153,477100.0100.0135,571100.0100.0+17,906
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 West Region in 2021 shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (20,052 people or 13.1%)
  • Construction (15,290 people or 10.0%)
  • Retail Trade (15,188 people or 9.9%)

In combination, these three industries employed 50,530 people in total or 32.9% of the total employed resident population.

In comparison, Pilbara employed 7.3% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 8.7% in Construction; and 5.6% in Retail Trade.

The major differences between the jobs held by the population of South West Region and Pilbara were:

  • A larger percentage of persons employed in health care and social assistance (13.1% compared to 7.3%)
  • A larger percentage of persons employed in manufacturing (7.8% compared to 2.8%)
  • A larger percentage of persons employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing (5.0% compared to 0.6%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons employed in mining (8.1% compared to 30.4%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in South West Region increased by 17,906 between 2016 and 2021.

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

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+4,878 persons)
  • Mining (+3,484 persons)
  • Accommodation and Food Services (+2,121 persons)
  • Education and Training (+1,338 persons)

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