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, Technicians And Trades Workers was the most common occupation group among employed residents in Port Stephens (A), accounting for 17.1% (5,310 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (14.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Community And Personal Service Workers, which increased by 844 people and 1.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Occupation of employment

Port Stephens (A) - Employed persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises occupation of employment for Port Stephens (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.

Occupation of employment change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

Total Occupation Managers

+472

+0.3pp

Total Occupation Professionals

+738

+0.8pp

Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers

+442

-0.5pp

Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers

+844

+1.3pp

Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers

+291

-0.5pp

Total Occupation Sales Workers

+4

-1.1pp

Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers

+99

-0.5pp

Total Occupation Labourers

+337

-0.1pp

Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated

+142

+0.3pp

Data table

Occupation of employment for Port Stephens (A). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.

Occupation of employment for Port Stephens (A). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Occupation of employment for Port Stephens (A). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NSW%Count%Regional NSW%Countpp
Total Occupation Managers3,47211.2%13.4%3,00010.9%13.0%+472+0.3pp
Total Occupation Professionals4,80315.5%19.2%4,06514.7%18.1%+738+0.8pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers5,31017.1%14.5%4,86817.6%14.8%+442-0.5pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers4,33814.0%13.2%3,49412.7%11.9%+844+1.3pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers3,84012.4%11.7%3,54912.9%12.4%+291-0.5pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers2,8489.2%8.5%2,84410.3%9.6%+4-1.1pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers2,3717.7%6.9%2,2728.2%7.1%+99-0.5pp
Total Occupation Labourers3,38110.9%10.9%3,04411.0%11.4%+337-0.1pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated6072.0%1.8%4651.7%1.6%+142+0.3pp
Total30,986100.0%100.0%27,602100.0%100.0%+3,3840.0pp