Public Administration and Safety

This image shows 30% of jobs are regional. 6% of workers are aged 15 to 24 years. 2% of workers are self-employed.

43% of workers hold a bachelor degree or higher. 31% of workers hold a certificate 3 or higher qualification. 5% of workers hold an other qualification. 21% of workers do not hold a post-school qualification.

Public Administration and Safety includes federal, state and local government administration and services like the police force. It was one of the few industries to experience growth over the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in workers is potentially due to the development and implementation of support programs as part of the Australian Government’s Coronavirus economic response, or equivalent state/territory government initiatives.

Top Employing Occupations

Occupation
General Clerks
Police
Contract, Program and Project Administrators
Security Officers and Guards
Inspectors and Regulatory Officers
Intelligence and Policy Analysts
Information Officers
Prison Officers
Other Miscellaneous Labourers
Office Managers
Welfare Support Workers
Policy and Planning Managers
Accounting Clerks
Fire and Emergency Workers
Other Information and Organisation Professionals
Accountants
Other Specialist Managers
Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers
Human Resource Professionals
Keyboard Operators

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This workforce is highly skilled (more than three quarters of workers hold post-school qualifications), relatively old (just 6% are aged 15 to 24 years) and full-time work is common (83% of employment). Given this, there are fewer opportunities for entry level positions within this industry. All federal government departments, though, offer graduate programs for university graduates interested in a career in the Australian Public Service.

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