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 Noosa Heads, accounting for 96.3% (2,184 people). This share was higher than Noosa (S) (95.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Employed, which increased by 2,184 people.

Section overview

Labour force status

Noosa Heads - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises employment status for Noosa Heads in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Noosa (S) and change since 2016.

Labour force status snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Noosa Heads, with comparison markers for Noosa (S).

Noosa Heads
Noosa (S)

Employed

2021 count

2,184

% of total

96.3%

Change from 2016

-

Employed full-time

2021 count

1,030

% of total

45.4%

Change from 2016

-

Employed part-time

2021 count

938

% of total

41.3%

Change from 2016

-

Employed, away from work

2021 count

214

% of total

9.4%

Change from 2016

-

Unemployed (Unemployment rate)

2021 count

86

% of total

3.8%

Change from 2016

-

Looking for full-time work

2021 count

44

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

-

Looking for part-time work

2021 count

38

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Employment status for Noosa Heads. Labour force status. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Noosa (S).

Employment status for Noosa Heads. Labour force status. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Noosa (S).
Employment status for Noosa Heads. Labour force status. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Noosa (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Noosa (S)%Count%Noosa (S)%Countpp
Employed2,18496.3%95.5%0-93.3%+2,184-
Employed full-time1,03045.4%44.7%0-49.3%+1,030-
Employed part-time93841.3%39.5%0-39.2%+938-
Employed, away from work2149.4%11.4%0-4.8%+214-
Unemployed (Unemployment rate)863.8%4.5%0-6.7%+86-
Looking for full-time work441.9%2.3%0-3.8%+44-
Looking for part-time work381.7%2.2%0-2.9%+38-
Total labour force2,269100.0%100.0%0-100.0%+2,269-