Employment
Employment status
About this topic
Employment status shows whether people aged 15 years and over are employed full-time or part-time, unemployed, or not in the labour force. It is one of the main Census indicators of labour market participation and economic engagement.
This topic is useful for understanding workforce participation, unemployment, and the broader socio-economic profile of an area. Results from 2021 should be read carefully because COVID-19 restrictions increased the number of people who were employed but away from work around Census time.
Interpretation notes
- Labour force status is based on the week before Census night for people aged 15 years and over.
- In 2021, lockdown instructions could shift more people into 'employed, away from work', so over-time comparisons need care.
- The 'away from work' group also includes people who reported having a job but did not state hours worked.
Key insight
In 2021, Employed was the most common category among residents aged 15 and over in South Lismore, accounting for 92.9% (811 people). This share was lower than Lismore (C) (94.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Employed, which increased by 63 people and 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Labour force status
South Lismore - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises employment status for South Lismore in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Lismore (C) and change since 2016.
Labour force status snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Lismore, with comparison markers for Lismore (C).
Employed
2021 count
811
% of total
92.9%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
811
92.9%
+3.0pp
Employed full-time
2021 count
399
% of total
45.7%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
399
45.7%
+2.9pp
Employed part-time
2021 count
365
% of total
41.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
365
41.8%
+0.1pp
Employed, away from work
2021 count
46
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
46
5.3%
+0.4pp
Unemployed (Unemployment rate)
2021 count
56
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
56
6.4%
-4.4pp
Looking for full-time work
2021 count
38
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
38
4.4%
-2.5pp
Looking for part-time work
2021 count
19
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
19
2.2%
-1.6pp
Chart view
Labour force status change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Employed
+63
+3.0pp
Employed full-time
+43
+2.9pp
Employed part-time
+18
+0.1pp
Employed, away from work
+5
+0.4pp
Unemployed (Unemployment rate)
-34
-4.4pp
Looking for full-time work
-19
-2.5pp
Looking for part-time work
-13
-1.6pp
Data table
Employment status for South Lismore. Labour force status. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Lismore (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Lismore (C)% | Count | % | Lismore (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Employed | 811 | 92.9% | 94.8% | 748 | 89.9% | 92.2% | +63 | +3.0pp |
| Employed full-time | 399 | 45.7% | 50.3% | 356 | 42.8% | 50.2% | +43 | +2.9pp |
| Employed part-time | 365 | 41.8% | 38.4% | 347 | 41.7% | 37.2% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Employed, away from work | 46 | 5.3% | 6.1% | 41 | 4.9% | 4.8% | +5 | +0.4pp |
| Unemployed (Unemployment rate) | 56 | 6.4% | 5.1% | 90 | 10.8% | 7.8% | -34 | -4.4pp |
| Looking for full-time work | 38 | 4.4% | 2.5% | 57 | 6.9% | 4.2% | -19 | -2.5pp |
| Looking for part-time work | 19 | 2.2% | 2.6% | 32 | 3.8% | 3.5% | -13 | -1.6pp |
| Total labour force | 873 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 832 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +41 | 0.0pp |