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, Professionals was the most common occupation group among employed residents in Ballina (A), accounting for 22.5% (4,681 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (19.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 785 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Ballina (A) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Ballina (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballina (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
2,889
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
2,889
13.9%
+0.8pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
4,681
% of total
22.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
4,681
22.5%
+0.2pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
2,859
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,859
13.8%
+0.1pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
2,799
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
2,799
13.5%
+1.5pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
2,284
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
2,284
11.0%
-0.6pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
1,999
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,999
9.6%
-1.0pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
858
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
858
4.1%
-0.4pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
2,083
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,083
10.0%
-0.5pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
316
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
316
1.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+596
+0.8pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+785
+0.2pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+468
+0.1pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+701
+1.5pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+254
-0.6pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+149
-1.0pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+73
-0.4pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+255
-0.5pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+28
-0.1pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Ballina (A). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 2,889 | 13.9% | 13.4% | 2,293 | 13.1% | 13.0% | +596 | +0.8pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 4,681 | 22.5% | 19.2% | 3,896 | 22.3% | 18.1% | +785 | +0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 2,859 | 13.8% | 14.5% | 2,391 | 13.7% | 14.8% | +468 | +0.1pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 2,799 | 13.5% | 13.2% | 2,098 | 12.0% | 11.9% | +701 | +1.5pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 2,284 | 11.0% | 11.7% | 2,030 | 11.6% | 12.4% | +254 | -0.6pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 1,999 | 9.6% | 8.5% | 1,850 | 10.6% | 9.6% | +149 | -1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 858 | 4.1% | 6.9% | 785 | 4.5% | 7.1% | +73 | -0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 2,083 | 10.0% | 10.9% | 1,828 | 10.5% | 11.4% | +255 | -0.5pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 316 | 1.5% | 1.8% | 288 | 1.6% | 1.6% | +28 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 20,775 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17,463 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,312 | 0.0pp |