Top employing industries in New South Wales

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New South Wales is the largest employing state in Australia. Most jobs are in Sydney, which accounts for around 70% of the state’s employment.

Around 70% of the state’s workforce has post-school qualifications and they are more likely to hold a bachelor degree or higher than workers nationally. Greater Sydney is the most highly educated workforce in the state, with 72% holding post-school qualifications (including 42% with a bachelor degree or higher).

There are multiple regions, however, where it is far more common for workers to have VET qualifications rather than those gained through a university (such as the Mid North Coast where 44% of the workforce has a Cert III or higher VET qualification). The age profile of this state is largely in line with the national average, although some regions have relatively large shares of workers aged 15 to 24 years. These include Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Murray.

Self-employment may also offer an opportunity for work, or a different career path. While it is less common in New South Wales than in some other areas, around 16% of workers are their own boss.

Employment by region, New South Wales

Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work.

Top employing industries in Victoria

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Victoria is the second largest employing state, with the majority of jobs located in Melbourne. While Victorians are employed across all industries, around one in four work in either Health Care and Social Assistance or Retail Trade.

Around 70% of Victorian workers have post-school qualifications, with a relatively large share holding a bachelor degree or higher. Workers in Melbourne are more likely to hold a bachelor degree or higher qualification than those in regional Victoria, where a certificate III or higher VET qualification is more common.

Part-time work is relatively common, accounting for around a third of total employment. Workers in both Geelong and Shepparton are the most likely to be employed in this manner (38% and 37%). A full breakdown of part-time work across the state is available in the table below.

Despite the general downturn, the size and diversity of the Victorian labour market means employment opportunities will continue to exist across all industries. Employers need workers who are resilient, proactive and capable and, if you are able to demonstrate these attributes, you will stand out from the crowd. Digital skills are also important, with continued enhancements in technology affecting jobs and society more broadly. For more information on skills in the future, please see Skills for the future.

Employment by region, Victoria

Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work.

Top employing industries in Queensland

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Queensland is the third largest employing state in Australia, with around half the jobs located in Brisbane and a further 13% in the Gold Coast area.

Given the size and diversity of the Queensland economy, employment opportunities exist across all industries. Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employing industry in Queensland, with 15% of the state’s employment. There are many roles within this industry that do not require medical qualifications or extensive prior experience. Some of these include Receptionists, General Clerks, Kitchenhands and Commercial Cleaners.

Construction is another large employer, representing around 10% of total employment.

Workers in Queensland are less likely to hold a bachelor degree or higher than the national average, but are more likely to have a certificate III or higher vocational qualification. There is a higher proportion of females employed in this state than the national average and around one in three Queensland workers are employed part-time.

It is worth noting that Queenslanders are more likely to be self-employed than workers in the rest of Australia, with around one in five employed Queenslanders working as their own boss. If you are Australia’s next top young entrepreneur, please see self-employment and entrepreneurship on the government programs which may help you reach your self-employment ambitions.

Employment by region, Queensland

Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work.

Top employing industries in South Australia

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South Australia has a relatively small workforce, with around 7% of national employment. Employment is concentrated in Adelaide, which accounts for 78% of state employment.

While there are employment opportunities available across all industries, more than one in three workers are employed in Health Care and Social Assistance, Retail Trade or Manufacturing.

Construction and Education and Training each represent 8% of the state’s employment, with a further 6% employed in each of Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Public Administration and Safety, and Accommodation and Food Services. Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services is South Australia’s smallest industry, accounting for 1% of employment.

Part-time employment is relatively common in this state, accounting for around 36% of employment (compared with the national average of 31%). The Barossa–Yorke–Mid North area (encompassing Clare, Peterborough, Port Pirie, Tanunda and Wallaroo) has the largest proportion of part-time employment in the state.

South Australian workers are less likely to hold post-school qualifications than workers nationally. Reversing the Australian trend, a higher share of workers in this state hold a certificate III or higher vocational qualification (31%) than those who have a bachelor degree or higher (26%).

Employment by region, South Australia

Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work.

Top employing industries in Western Australia

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Western Australia is the fourth largest employing state, with employment mostly located in Perth.

The largest employing industry in Western Australia is Health Care and Social Assistance. Demand for work in this industry is only going to increase given Australia’s ageing population. It is worth noting that not everyone employed in this industry is a doctor or a nurse.

Some of the top employing occupations in Health Care and Social Assistance include Receptionists, General Clerks, Kitchenhands and Commercial Cleaners. These are all occupations that can be perfect entry level positions and generally require minimal qualifications or prior experience.

Unlike the rest of Australia, a large proportion of Western Australians are employed in the Mining industry (around one in 10 workers). Reflecting this, nearly half of total Mining employment is located in Western Australia.

While many jobs across Australia have been adversely affected by COVID-19, some areas of the economy have seen an increase in demand. This includes some areas of Mining and mining services.

Employment by region, Western Australia

Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work; National Skills Commission, A snapshot in time: The Australian labour market and COVID-19.

Top employing industries in Tasmania

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While Tasmania is the smallest employing state, there are employment opportunities available across all industries.

Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employing industry (14%), closely followed by Retail Trade and Education and Training.

Tasmania has the oldest workforce of any state or territory, with 46% aged 45 years or older. Part-time work is also relatively common (39% of state employment, the largest share in Australia). Workers in this state are less likely to have a bachelor degree or higher than the national average, although they are more likely to have completed a certificate III or higher vocational qualification.

Tasmania has the most regionally diverse workforce in Australia, with just over half of all workers employed outside of Hobart.

Employment by region, Tasmania

Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work.

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The Northern Territory is the smallest labour market in Australia, with almost two thirds of employment located in Darwin. Public Administration and Safety is the largest employing industry (20%), followed by Health Care and Social Assistance (18%).

Given the small size of the Territory’s workforce (compared with the rest of Australia), it is important to make the most of your relationships with friends, family and other local contacts as they may be aware of job opportunities.

Vacancies that might be formally advertised in other parts of Australia are often advertised through more informal ways (for example, word of mouth, sign in a shop window or on social media). Knowing that, people looking for work might find more opportunities by using every available method. For information on what employers are looking for, please see what employers are generally seeking.

Employment by region, Northern Territory

Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work.

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Unlike other states and territories, employment in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is mainly in one industry - Public Administration and Safety. Around one in three Canberran workers are employed in this industry, and most work in public service roles for either the federal or territory government.

However, not all roles within Public Administration and Safety are desk jobs. This industry employs workers across a broad range of areas including graphic design, event management and communication (increasingly through social media).

With many workers returning to their offices following working from home arrangements, there may also be entry level job openings in cafés and restaurants as demand for these services increases. It is important to note, however, that these jobs are typically advertised by word of mouth. More information on how employers find workers.

Employment by region, Australian Capital Territory

Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work.