Employment
Occupation of employment
About this topic
Occupation of employment classifies employed residents by the kind of work they do in their main job. It describes the roles, skills, and tasks people perform rather than the industry they work in.
This topic is useful for understanding the skill profile and socio-economic characteristics of the resident workforce. It is best interpreted with qualifications, individual income, and industry sector of employment.
Interpretation notes
- Occupation classifies the kind of work done in a person's main job, not the employer's industry.
- It applies to employed people aged 15 years and over, so it should be read with employment status when assessing labour market conditions.
Key insight
In 2021, Machinery Operators And Drivers was the most common occupation group among employed residents in Ashburton (S), accounting for 26.7% (1,022 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (10.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Technicians And Trades Workers, which decreased by 1,868 people and 9 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Ashburton (S) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Ashburton (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ashburton (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
288
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
288
7.5%
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
379
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
379
9.9%
-0.3pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
961
% of total
25.1%
Change from 2016
-9.0pp
961
25.1%
-9.0pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
269
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
269
7.0%
+3.4pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
284
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
284
7.4%
+1.9pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
112
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
112
2.9%
+1.6pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
1,022
% of total
26.7%
Change from 2016
+5.7pp
1,022
26.7%
+5.7pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
415
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
415
10.8%
-5.4pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
100
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
100
2.6%
+1.0pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
-254
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Professionals
-471
-0.3pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
-1,868
-9.0pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
-26
+3.4pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
-170
+1.9pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+6
+1.6pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
-722
+5.7pp
Total Occupation Labourers
-930
-5.4pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
-32
+1.0pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Ashburton (S). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 288 | 7.5% | 14.3% | 542 | 6.5% | 14.4% | -254 | +1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 379 | 9.9% | 14.6% | 850 | 10.2% | 13.8% | -471 | -0.3pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 961 | 25.1% | 17.6% | 2,829 | 34.1% | 18.4% | -1,868 | -9.0pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 269 | 7.0% | 10.9% | 295 | 3.6% | 9.8% | -26 | +3.4pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 284 | 7.4% | 10.3% | 454 | 5.5% | 10.6% | -170 | +1.9pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 112 | 2.9% | 7.1% | 106 | 1.3% | 7.7% | +6 | +1.6pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 1,022 | 26.7% | 10.8% | 1,744 | 21.0% | 11.0% | -722 | +5.7pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 415 | 10.8% | 12.5% | 1,345 | 16.2% | 12.6% | -930 | -5.4pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 100 | 2.6% | 1.9% | 132 | 1.6% | 1.7% | -32 | +1.0pp |
| Total | 3,828 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,305 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -4,477 | 0.0pp |