Top employing industries in New South Wales
Industry |
---|
Health Care and Social Assistance |
Retail Trade |
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services |
Construction |
Education and Training |
Accommodation and Food Services |
Manufacturing |
Public Administration and Safety |
Financial and Insurance Services |
Transport, Postal and Warehousing |
Administrative and Support Services |
Other Services |
Wholesale Trade |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing |
Information Media and Telecommunications |
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services |
Arts and Recreation Services |
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services |
Mining |
Show all
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
Employment Profile | Workforce Educational Profile | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part-time | Female | Aged 15 to 24 years | Aged 55 years or older | Bachelor degree or higher | Cert III or higher VET qualification | No post-school qualification | |
Region | % | % | % | % | % | % | % |
Greater Sydney | 28 | 46 | 14 | 17 | 42 | 25 | 28 |
Capital Region | 28 | 46 | 13 | 19 | 24 | 29 | 34 |
Central West | 33 | 47 | 16 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 35 |
Coffs Harbour - Grafton | 36 | 46 | 15 | 25 | 19 | 38 | 40 |
Far West and Orana | 29 | 48 | 12 | 24 | 18 | 35 | 39 |
Hunter Valley (excl. Newcastle) | 31 | 49 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 42 | 31 |
Illawarra | 35 | 46 | 16 | 19 | 26 | 37 | 38 |
Mid North Coast | 42 | 49 | 17 | 23 | 19 | 44 | 31 |
Murray | 34 | 48 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 32 | 38 |
New England and North West | 31 | 48 | 12 | 37 | 17 | 35 | 43 |
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie | 32 | 50 | 18 | 16 | 27 | 33 | 32 |
Richmond - Tweed | 41 | 50 | 15 | 29 | 14 | 42 | 30 |
Riverina | 28 | 48 | 15 | 27 | 17 | 41 | 38 |
Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven | 35 | 50 | 15 | 29 | 25 | 37 | 27 |
New South Wales | 30 | 47 | 14 | 19 | 36 | 28 | 30 |
Australia | 31 | 47 | 15 | 19 | 33 | 30 | 32 |
Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work.