Australian Government - SkillsInfo

Mining is one of the most important industries in the Australian economy, even though the number of people directly employed in the industry is small relative to most other industries (171 500 or 1.6 per cent of the total workforce). Following the downturn of the late 1990s, the Mining industry has experienced exceptionally strong job growth in recent years, underpinned by the continued rapid industrialisation of China and other fast growing Asian economies.

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services is the smallest employing industry in Australia (of a total of 19 industries, employing 144 300 people (or 1.3 per cent of the total workforce) as at February 2009. While there is a constant demand for the utilities provided by the Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services industry, employment is affected by economic cycles and industry policies, especially deregulation of energy markets.

Construction is the fourth largest employing industry in Australia, employing 983 100 people (or 9.1 per cent of the total workforce) as at February 2009. The Construction industry is strongly influenced by economic cycles and therefore can be susceptible to skill shortages as well as oversupply for some skills. In recent years the Construction industry, in line with the strong economy, has experienced sustained and robust employment growth.

Wholesale Trade is a medium-sized industry in Australia, employing 395 800 people (or 3.7 per cent of the total workforce) as at February 2009. The term ‘Wholesale Trade’ is used in the broad sense to include the resale (as agents or principals) of new or used goods to businesses or to institutional (including government) users.

The Accommodation and Food industry employs 705 800 workers in Australia and accounted for 6.5 per cent of the total workforce as at February 2009.Employment in the Accommodation and Food Services industry is influenced not only by international economic and geopolitical factors, but it is also sensitive to the discretionary income of Australian residents.

The Transport, Postal and Warehousing industry is the ninth largest employing industry in Australia, employing just over half a million workers (or 5.5 per cent of the total workforce) as at February 2009.

The Information Media and Telecommunications industry is a small employing industry in the Australian economy, with 225 300 workers (or 2.1 per cent of the total workforce) as at February 2009.

The Financial and Insurance Services industry is a relatively small industry, employing 392 500 people (or 3.6 per cent of the total workforce) as at February 2009. The Financial and Insurance Services industry is sensitive to several factors, including the macroeconomic environment, financial regulation, the global economic environment, industry policies, and changes in technology.

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is the sixth largest employing industry in Australia, employing 784 700 workers (or 7.3 per cent of the total workforce) as at February 2009.Employment in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is influenced not only by international economic and geopolitical factors, but is also sensitive to business profitability and investment in Australia.

The Administrative and Support Services industry is a smaller medium-sized industry in the Australian economy, employing 349 600 people (or 3.2 per cent of the total workforce) as at February 2009.

The Public Administration and Safety industry is a medium-sized employing industry in the Australian economy, employing 669 300 people as at February 2009 (or 6.2 per cent of the total workforce).

The Education and Training industry is the fifth largest industry in Australia, employing 790 400 people (or 7.3 per cent of the total workforce) as at February 2009.

The Arts and Recreation Services industry is a relatively small employing industry in the Australian economy, employing 206 300 people (or 1.9 per cent of the total workforce) as at February 2009.