The labour force section is presented in two sections to answer the following questions:
The 'labour force' data represents key characteristics of people who are either employed or who are looking for work (unemployed).
The local labour force includes all people in the labour force who are resident in the local area regardless of where they work. The local labour force is an important resource for the local economy, however it does not represent the total potential skill resource available to the local economy. This is because there are typically a significant number of people who are employed in the local economy who reside outside of the local area.
The regional labour force represents the pool of potential labour force skills available to the local area from the region. It is defined on the basis of surrounding areas for which the local area is a significant destination for its workers. More specifically, it includes any Statistical Local Area (sub-LGA areas) in which 4% or more of employed resident persons travel to the local area for work. The regional labour force data represents all people in the labour force resident in the region, regardless of where they work. It shows what potential there is to draw on other skills, knowledge and experience available within the region.
More information on the 'Regional labour force' geography and its constituent Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) please see the Populations and geographies section.
Derived from the Census question, 'What is the person’s date of birth (or age last birthday)?'
The age structure of the regional labour force is indicative of the skill-levels and experience that local businesses can draw upon. For example, a younger labour force, while less experienced, is typically more mobile and has higher level skills in use of new technologies.
To get a more complete understanding of the age structure of the labour force and what it may mean to the local economy, age structure should be analysed in conjunction with Occupations, Qualifications, Hours Worked and Incomes.
The "regional" labour force includes all persons that were usually resident in the region on Census night regardless of where they worked and who were either employed or looking for work.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006.
Please refer to the specific data notes for more information.
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