New South Wales

The New South Wales graphic shows 32% of jobs are regional. 14% of workers are aged 15 to 24 years. 16% of workers are self-employed.

The New South Wales graphic shows 36% of workers hold a bachelor degree or higher. 28% of workers hold a certificate 3 or higher qualification. 6% of workers hold an other qualification. 30% of workers do not hold a post-school qualification.

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

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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

  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.