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 Surf Coast (S), accounting for 27.6% (5,177 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (18.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 1,638 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Surf Coast (S) - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Surf Coast (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Surf Coast (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
3,393
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
3,393
18.1%
+1.6pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
5,177
% of total
27.6%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
5,177
27.6%
+2.5pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
2,567
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
2,567
13.7%
-1.1pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
2,148
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
2,148
11.4%
+0.5pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
1,921
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,921
10.2%
-0.9pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
1,474
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,474
7.9%
-1.1pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
515
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
515
2.7%
-0.5pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
1,296
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,296
6.9%
-0.8pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
280
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
280
1.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+1,066
+1.6pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+1,638
+2.5pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+477
-1.1pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+613
+0.5pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+365
-0.9pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+202
-1.1pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+60
-0.5pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+217
-0.8pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+48
-0.1pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Surf Coast (S). Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 3,393 | 18.1% | 14.5% | 2,327 | 16.5% | 14.6% | +1,066 | +1.6pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 5,177 | 27.6% | 18.8% | 3,539 | 25.1% | 17.4% | +1,638 | +2.5pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 2,567 | 13.7% | 14.4% | 2,090 | 14.8% | 14.8% | +477 | -1.1pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 2,148 | 11.4% | 12.7% | 1,535 | 10.9% | 11.7% | +613 | +0.5pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 1,921 | 10.2% | 10.9% | 1,556 | 11.1% | 11.3% | +365 | -0.9pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 1,474 | 7.9% | 8.5% | 1,272 | 9.0% | 9.7% | +202 | -1.1pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 515 | 2.7% | 6.3% | 455 | 3.2% | 6.5% | +60 | -0.5pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 1,296 | 6.9% | 12.0% | 1,079 | 7.7% | 12.4% | +217 | -0.8pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 280 | 1.5% | 1.9% | 232 | 1.6% | 1.7% | +48 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 18,769 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,079 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,690 | 0.0pp |