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 Melbourne (part), accounting for 35.3% (11,597 people). This share was lower than Melbourne (C) (39.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 4,101 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Melbourne (part) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Melbourne (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (part), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
3,916
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
3,916
11.9%
-1.9pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
11,597
% of total
35.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
11,597
35.3%
+0.3pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
3,021
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
3,021
9.2%
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
4,211
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
4,211
12.8%
-0.2pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
3,536
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
3,536
10.8%
+0.1pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
2,593
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
2,593
7.9%
-0.6pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
849
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
849
2.6%
+1.4pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
2,470
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,470
7.5%
+0.2pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
690
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
690
2.1%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+958
-1.9pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+4,101
+0.3pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+1,129
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+1,436
-0.2pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+1,252
+0.1pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+780
-0.6pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+597
+1.4pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+910
+0.2pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+300
+0.3pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Melbourne (part). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 3,916 | 11.9% | 13.3% | 2,958 | 13.8% | 14.4% | +958 | -1.9pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 11,597 | 35.3% | 39.4% | 7,496 | 35.0% | 39.4% | +4,101 | +0.3pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 3,021 | 9.2% | 7.7% | 1,892 | 8.8% | 7.3% | +1,129 | +0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 4,211 | 12.8% | 11.0% | 2,775 | 13.0% | 11.2% | +1,436 | -0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 3,536 | 10.8% | 11.0% | 2,284 | 10.7% | 11.2% | +1,252 | +0.1pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 2,593 | 7.9% | 7.0% | 1,813 | 8.5% | 8.0% | +780 | -0.6pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 849 | 2.6% | 2.4% | 252 | 1.2% | 1.4% | +597 | +1.4pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 2,470 | 7.5% | 6.3% | 1,560 | 7.3% | 5.4% | +910 | +0.2pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 690 | 2.1% | 1.8% | 390 | 1.8% | 1.7% | +300 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 32,880 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,407 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +11,473 | 0.0pp |