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 Port Phillip (C), accounting for 38.1% (23,230 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (26.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 1,398 people and 0.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Occupation of employment

Port Phillip (C) - Employed persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises occupation of employment for Port Phillip (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.

Occupation of employment snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Port Phillip (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.

Port Phillip (C)
Greater Melbourne

Total Occupation Managers

2021 count

12,457

% of total

20.4%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Total Occupation Professionals

2021 count

23,230

% of total

38.1%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers

2021 count

4,640

% of total

7.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers

2021 count

5,192

% of total

8.5%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers

2021 count

6,896

% of total

11.3%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Total Occupation Sales Workers

2021 count

4,138

% of total

6.8%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers

2021 count

1,116

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Total Occupation Labourers

2021 count

2,256

% of total

3.7%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated

2021 count

1,085

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

Occupation of employment for Port Phillip (C). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.

Occupation of employment for Port Phillip (C). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Occupation of employment for Port Phillip (C). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Melbourne%Count%Greater Melbourne%Countpp
Total Occupation Managers12,45720.4%13.8%11,22619.5%13.2%+1,231+0.9pp
Total Occupation Professionals23,23038.1%26.8%21,83237.8%25.0%+1,398+0.3pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers4,6407.6%12.1%4,4347.7%12.6%+206-0.1pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers5,1928.5%10.5%4,8848.5%10.2%+3080.0pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers6,89611.3%12.9%7,08112.3%13.9%-185-1.0pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers4,1386.8%8.3%4,5687.9%9.7%-430-1.1pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers1,1161.8%5.8%7981.4%5.6%+318+0.4pp
Total Occupation Labourers2,2563.7%7.8%1,9383.4%8.1%+318+0.3pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated1,0851.8%2.0%9481.6%1.7%+137+0.2pp
Total61,013100.0%100.0%57,705100.0%100.0%+3,3080.0pp