Biggest Industries by Employment in Australia in 2021

1. State Government Administration in Australia

Employment number for 2021: 1,612,290

The State Government Administration industry is made up of the eight state and territory governments across Australia. Under the Australian Constitution, state and territory governments are responsible for everything that is not a Federal Government responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, schools, hospitals, roads and railways. This report includes all actions that state and territory governments undertake. As a result, it double counts key information with other industries in Australia. For example, teachers employed in government schools in Australia are included as employees in both the State Government Administration industry and the Government Schools industry. State and territory... Learn More

2. Health Services in Australia

Employment number for 2021: 872,102

The Health Services subdivision includes a range of health services and facilities. General hospitals are the subdivision's largest revenue driver, accounting over half of Australia's health services revenue. General practitioners, clinical specialists and dentists also represent significant revenue streams for the subdivision. Australia's growing and ageing population has generated strong demand for health services over the past five years. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020 has limited subdivision expansion, as health services have redirected resources to containing the virus. Consequently, subdivision revenue is expected to grow at an annualised 1.5% over the five years through 2020-21, to $162.5... Learn More

3. Professional Services in Australia

Employment number for 2021: 839,856

The Professional Services subdivision provides various professional, scientific and technical services to a range of markets. The subdivision's performance is largely linked to overall economic conditions, which often determine business confidence and capital expenditure. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, technology development and greater business profit drove growth across the subdivision. Over the three years through 2018-19, accounting and management consultants benefited from downstream businesses looking to improve efficiencies as increased globalisation constrained profit margins. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the subdivision's largest industries, including the Engineering Consulting industry, the Management Consulting industry and Accounting Services industry. The subdivision is... Learn More

4. Community Services in Australia

Employment number for 2021: 787,720

Community services organisations play an important role in supporting Australia's welfare system. Subdivision operators help to arrange care and counsel for individuals in need, including the economically disadvantaged and other vulnerable members of society, such as children and the elderly. Not-for-profit organisations and private enterprises in the Community Services subdivision are expected to receive $61.4 billion in 2020-21 from government funding, donations and private income. Subdivision revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 2.7% over the five years through 2020-21. Favourable demographic trends at both ends of the age spectrum, supported by ongoing government funding have contributed to revenue... Learn More

5. Consumer Goods Retailing in Australia

Employment number for 2021: 656,435

The Consumer Goods Retailing subdivision has been subject to difficult retail conditions over the past five years. Weak disposable income growth and volatile consumer sentiment due to unstable economic conditions have resulted in a poor trading landscape, as households have scaled back their expenditure on non-essential goods. In addition, the rising popularity of online shopping has contributed to a fall in retail demand for many consumer goods over the period, such as photographic equipment, video games and recorded music, newspapers and books and stationery goods.

Subdivision operators have struggled with growing competition from online-only retailers, as consumers have become increasingly comfortable... Learn More

6. Public General Hospitals in Australia

Employment number for 2021: 390,322

The Public General Hospitals industry has grown over the past five years. Public hospitals are primarily funded through federal and state governments, with private health insurance and other non-public revenue sources expected to account for less than 10.0% of industry funding in 2020-21. Demand for public general hospitals has surged over the past five years, primarily due to Australia's ageing population and the rising incidence of chronic illness among adults. Industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 1.8% over the five years through 2020-21, to $77.7 billion. This includes anticipated revenue growth of 2.1% in the current year.

The... Learn More

7. Supermarkets and Grocery Stores in Australia

Employment number for 2021: 361,340

The Supermarkets and Grocery Stores industry is one of the most fiercely competitive industries in Australia. However, price-based competition has begun to decrease over the past three years. Nevertheless, the continued expansion of ALDI and Costco has forced the two established industry giants, Woolworths and Coles, to remain price-competitive. To differentiate themselves from low-cost supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths have increasingly focused on improving customers' shopping experience through store refurbishments and increased online shopping capabilities. These major players are increasingly relying on loyalty programs and promotions rather than discounts.

Weak disposable income growth and often-negative consumer sentiment have encouraged consumers to seek... Learn More

8. Temporary Staff Services in Australia

Employment number for 2021: 361,269

The Temporary Staff Services industry provides skilled and unskilled labour to client companies, typically on a short-term basis. Various factors influence demand for staffing services. For example, the national unemployment rate affects industry demand, with lower unemployment generally contributing to greater demand for temporary staff. Additionally, greater business outsourcing positively affects industry demand and growth. Performance trends in client markets also affect industry operators. Strong demand from several downstream markets has benefited industry firms over the past five years, including professional services and healthcare sectors.

Industry revenue increased strongly over the three years through 2018-19, before slowing greatly in 2019-20, and... Learn More

9. Government Schools in Australia

Employment number for 2021: 321,223

The Government Schools industry has grown due to rising student numbers and government funding over the past five years. The industry receives most of its income from the federal, state and territory governments, with state and territory funding providing approximately 80% of revenue. Political debate surrounding school funding has introduced volatility to industry revenue over the past five years. However, student enrolment numbers have increased over the period, driving growth in revenue. Overall, industry revenue is expected to rise at an annualised 0.5% over the five years through 2025-26, to total $53.1 billion. This includes an anticipated increase of 1.3%... Learn More

10. Aged Care Residential Services in Australia

Employment number for 2021: 313,768

As Australia's population ages, demand for age-appropriate housing increases. Older individuals are more susceptible to a range of age-related ailments and need more assistance with everyday activities and personal care. As aged-care requirements have changed over the past five years, the Aged Care Residential Services industry has expanded, offering different lifestyle accommodation options. This expansion, combined with more flexible pricing and ongoing government funding for aged-care, has supported revenue growth over the period.

A challenging operating environment has limited the industry's growth over the past five years. Industry revenue is expected to rise at an annualised 2.2% over the five years... Learn More