Occupations and Industries
Description
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released information about occupations and industries as revealed through the last Census. This information is based on the count of persons (place of usual residence) and shows the number of the working population in different occupations (e.g. managers, professionals, technicians/trades) and industries (e.g. manufacturing, retail, administrative/support services, education/training, health care/social assistance). The information is derived from specific questions on the Census form that ask about the occupations of those aged 15 and over and the tasks performed in their jobs, as well as the main business and/or services provided by respondents' employers.
Quality and Applicability
Place of usual residence counts are used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in all its standard data sets e.g. Basic Community Profile, Expanded Community Profile, Indigenous Profile and QuickStats.
Occupation and industry data tell us a great deal about the characteristics of the labour force, skill base and industry structure of the population. For example, occupation data can be used for labour market analyses and industry data can be used for workforce analyses. The occupations held by people and the industries they work in are related to a range of factors including educational qualifications, working/social aspirations, economic base/employment opportunities, and existing industry structure or changes over time. Occupation and industry data can be used in conjunction with other information to gain a picture of the socio-economic status of the population, such as the Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, labour force participation, individual income, unemployment rate, and educational attainment.
Coverage
Information about occupations and industries is available for local government areas, statistical local areas, suburbs, and collector districts. Figures are by sex and age (five/ten-year age groups).
Collector districts are the smallest spatial units under the Australian Standard Geographical Classification system used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Collector districts enable the collection and dissemination of Census data. Statistical local areas fit into the boundaries of incorporated bodies of local government (i.e. local government areas) when aggregated.
Reference Date
Information about occupations and industries refers to 8 August 2006, the most recent Census.
Release Date
The Australian Bureau of Statistics progressively released all standard data sets based on the 2006 Census during 2007.
Access
Information about occupations and industries is contained in the Basic Community Profile Cat. No. 2001.0 2006 Tables B44 and B42 respectively. Select the 'Community Profiles' function to search for an area by name then open its Basic Community Profile.
Cost and Format
Australian Bureau of Statistics data sets are downloadable free of charge in excel spreadsheet format.
More Information
Stay informed about all Census products by regularly visiting the Australian Bureau of Statistics and checking product release news/dates. Or subscribe to the free email notification service by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and typing 'add to Census email' in the subject field. Or call the National Information and Referral Service 1300 135 070. This service can also provide assistance in navigating the Census website.
Additional Data Source(s)
Information about occupations and industries is available through profile.id, an online product designed to support local government planning and accessible through council websites. Go to your council website, search for community profiles, and click on 'What Do We Do/What Are Our Occupations' and 'What Do We Do/What Industries Do We Work In' to generate reports based on the last Census. Reports are available for local government areas and smaller areas (e.g. suburbs). More on profile.id.
Information about industries based on the last Census is available through the Victorian Local Governance Association online library of social statistics.
The Spatial Analysis and Research Branch, Department of Planning and Community Development, is currently preparing statistical information derived from the most recent Census. Statistical information will be available in a number of products including Know Your Area and Suburbs in Time. For updates, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , telephone (03) 9637 9441, write to PO Box 500 East Melbourne Vic 3002, or visit Spatial Analysis Research Branch and view product and release dates.