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 Willoughby (NSW), accounting for 96.6% (3,550 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (95.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Employed, which increased by 3,520 people, while its share fell by 3.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Labour force status
Willoughby (NSW) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises employment status for Willoughby (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Labour force status snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Willoughby (NSW), with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
Employed
2021 count
3,550
% of total
96.6%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
3,550
96.6%
-3.4pp
Employed full-time
2021 count
2,273
% of total
61.9%
Change from 2016
+5.2pp
2,273
61.9%
+5.2pp
Employed part-time
2021 count
973
% of total
26.5%
Change from 2016
-6.8pp
973
26.5%
-6.8pp
Employed, away from work
2021 count
310
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+8.4pp
310
8.4%
+8.4pp
Unemployed (Unemployment rate)
2021 count
122
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
122
3.3%
+3.3pp
Looking for full-time work
2021 count
78
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
78
2.1%
+2.1pp
Looking for part-time work
2021 count
47
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
47
1.3%
+1.3pp
Chart view
Labour force status change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Employed
+3,520
-3.4pp
Employed full-time
+2,256
+5.2pp
Employed part-time
+963
-6.8pp
Employed, away from work
+310
+8.4pp
Unemployed (Unemployment rate)
+122
+3.3pp
Looking for full-time work
+78
+2.1pp
Looking for part-time work
+47
+1.3pp
Data table
Employment status for Willoughby (NSW). Labour force status. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Willoughby (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Employed | 3,550 | 96.6% | 95.6% | 30 | 100.0% | 94.9% | +3,520 | -3.4pp |
| Employed full-time | 2,273 | 61.9% | 60.1% | 17 | 56.7% | 63.6% | +2,256 | +5.2pp |
| Employed part-time | 973 | 26.5% | 27.2% | 10 | 33.3% | 27.4% | +963 | -6.8pp |
| Employed, away from work | 310 | 8.4% | 8.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 3.9% | +310 | +8.4pp |
| Unemployed (Unemployment rate) | 122 | 3.3% | 4.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.1% | +122 | +3.3pp |
| Looking for full-time work | 78 | 2.1% | 2.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.6% | +78 | +2.1pp |
| Looking for part-time work | 47 | 1.3% | 1.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.5% | +47 | +1.3pp |
| Total labour force | 3,674 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 30 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,644 | 0.0pp |