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 Unincorporated ACT, accounting for 31.5% (78,121 people). This share was similar to Australian Capital Territory (31.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Professionals, which increased by 15,463 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Occupation of employment
Unincorporated ACT - Employed persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises occupation of employment for Unincorporated ACT in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Australian Capital Territory and change since 2016.
Occupation of employment snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Unincorporated ACT, with comparison markers for Australian Capital Territory.
Total Occupation Managers
2021 count
44,363
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
44,363
17.9%
+2.0pp
Total Occupation Professionals
2021 count
78,121
% of total
31.5%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
78,121
31.5%
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
2021 count
23,848
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23,848
9.6%
0.0pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
2021 count
27,111
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
27,111
10.9%
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
2021 count
36,128
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
36,128
14.5%
-2.4pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
2021 count
15,185
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
15,185
6.1%
-0.7pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
2021 count
6,002
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
6,002
2.4%
+0.1pp
Total Occupation Labourers
2021 count
12,362
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12,362
5.0%
0.0pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
2021 count
5,261
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
5,261
2.1%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Occupation of employment change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Total Occupation Managers
+11,605
+2.0pp
Total Occupation Professionals
+15,463
+1.0pp
Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers
+4,228
0.0pp
Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers
+5,454
+0.4pp
Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers
+1,491
-2.4pp
Total Occupation Sales Workers
+1,244
-0.7pp
Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers
+1,318
+0.1pp
Total Occupation Labourers
+2,025
0.0pp
Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated
+138
-0.4pp
Data table
Occupation of employment for Unincorporated ACT. Occupation of employment. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Australian Capital Territory.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | % | Australian Capital Territory% | Count | pp | |
| Total Occupation Managers | 44,363 | 17.9% | 17.9% | 32,758 | 15.9% | 15.9% | +11,605 | +2.0pp |
| Total Occupation Professionals | 78,121 | 31.5% | 31.5% | 62,658 | 30.5% | 30.5% | +15,463 | +1.0pp |
| Total Occupation Technicians And Trades Workers | 23,848 | 9.6% | 9.6% | 19,620 | 9.6% | 9.6% | +4,228 | 0.0pp |
| Total Occupation Community And Personal Service Workers | 27,111 | 10.9% | 10.9% | 21,657 | 10.5% | 10.5% | +5,454 | +0.4pp |
| Total Occupation Clerical And Administrative Workers | 36,128 | 14.5% | 14.5% | 34,637 | 16.9% | 16.9% | +1,491 | -2.4pp |
| Total Occupation Sales Workers | 15,185 | 6.1% | 6.1% | 13,941 | 6.8% | 6.8% | +1,244 | -0.7pp |
| Total Occupation Machinery Operators And Drivers | 6,002 | 2.4% | 2.4% | 4,684 | 2.3% | 2.3% | +1,318 | +0.1pp |
| Total Occupation Labourers | 12,362 | 5.0% | 5.0% | 10,337 | 5.0% | 5.0% | +2,025 | 0.0pp |
| Total Occupation Inadequately Described Not Stated | 5,261 | 2.1% | 2.1% | 5,123 | 2.5% | 2.5% | +138 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 248,388 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 205,419 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +42,969 | 0.0pp |