Employment
Occupations
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 Smithfield (Qld), accounting for 20.9% (714 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Community And Personal Service Workers, which increased by 205 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Smithfield (Qld) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupations for Smithfield (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Smithfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Total Occupation Managers
Total Occupation Professionals
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
Total Occupation Sales Workers
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
Total Occupation Labourers
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+105
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+148
-0.7pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+118
-0.2pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+205
+2.7pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+57
-1.4pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+14
-2.1pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+47
+0.2pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+93
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+14
+0.2pp
Data table
Occupations for Smithfield (Qld). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 401 | 11.7% | 11.1% | 296 | 11.3% | 10.9% | +105 | +0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 714 | 20.9% | 20.4% | 566 | 21.6% | 19.2% | +148 | -0.7pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 523 | 15.3% | 15.0% | 405 | 15.5% | 15.0% | +118 | -0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 572 | 16.7% | 14.9% | 367 | 14.0% | 13.7% | +205 | +2.7pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 398 | 11.6% | 12.0% | 341 | 13.0% | 13.2% | +57 | -1.4pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 296 | 8.7% | 9.4% | 282 | 10.8% | 10.7% | +14 | -2.1pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 178 | 5.2% | 5.6% | 131 | 5.0% | 5.6% | +47 | +0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 296 | 8.7% | 9.9% | 203 | 7.7% | 9.9% | +93 | +1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 44 | 1.3% | 1.7% | 30 | 1.1% | 1.7% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,420 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,619 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +801 | 0.0pp |