Sunshine Coast

Employment by industry (Total)

In Sunshine Coast, Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employer, generating 31,868 local jobs in 2021/22.

Employment (total) is the most accurate and up to date measure of the total number of people employed in Sunshine Coast. The statistics are modelled by NIEIR to correct for the known undercount of jobs recorded in the Census. They estimate the total number of persons employed in an industry sector (full-time and part-time) in Sunshine Coast regardless of where they live. They are updated annually.

By comparing the number of jobs in each industry sector to a regional benchmark, you can clearly see the structure of Sunshine Coast's economy. This can be done by directly comparing the area to its benchmark, or by using a location quotient to look at the relative size of industries.

Estimated total employment by industry should not be considered as a "Full-Time Equivalent" measure as different industries will have different ratios of part-time and full time employees. Full-time employment by industry statistics are also available.

To see how employment is distributed across the area, see the Employment locations section and to see where people come from to work in these industries, these data should be viewed in conjunction with Workers place of residence by industry data.

More granular sub-categories for each industry sector are available in the Employment by industry (Census) counts. While Census figures undercount employment they do provide a more detailed picture of the specific industries operating in the area.

Data source

National Economics (NIEIR) - Modelled series

Please note – Detailed notes about how the figures are derived can be found in the specific topic notes section.
Current benchmark:
Comparison year:
reset
Did you know? By clicking/tapping on a data row in the table you will be able to see sub categories.
Employment (total) by industry
Sunshine Coast2021/222016/17Change
IndustryNumber%. QueenslandNumber%. Queensland2016/17 - 2021/22
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing3,1491.92.52,5912.02.7+558
Mining7130.42.73400.32.6+373
Manufacturing8,6455.36.66,7405.26.8+1,905
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services1,4330.91.31,0770.81.2+356
Construction19,98612.39.217,33113.39.6+2,655
Wholesale Trade3,1561.92.62,5692.02.7+587
Retail Trade15,7189.79.315,33111.79.9+386
Accommodation and Food Services14,0718.66.911,8739.17.1+2,198
Transport, Postal and Warehousing5,0183.15.34,4233.45.4+595
Information Media and Telecommunications1,6961.01.11,7831.41.5-88
Financial and Insurance Services4,7032.92.73,9113.02.6+792
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services3,2512.01.92,9562.32.0+295
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services10,7956.67.47,3595.66.7+3,436
Administrative and Support Services5,8643.63.34,8583.73.5+1,006
Public Administration and Safety5,4733.46.65,5544.36.7-81
Education and Training16,91710.49.213,05310.09.3+3,865
Health Care and Social Assistance31,86819.615.620,30415.513.6+11,564
Arts and Recreation Services3,6112.21.52,9612.31.8+650
Other Services6,6854.14.25,6404.34.1+1,045
Total industries162,752100.0100.0130,654100.0100.0+32,098

Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) ©2023. Compiled and presented in economy.id by .id (informed decisions). NIEIR-ID data are adjusted each year, using updated employment estimates. Each release may change previous years’ figures. Learn more

Please refer to specific data notes for more information
Did you know? By clicking/tapping on a category in the chart below you will be able to drilldown to the sub categories.
loading animation
loading animation

Dominant groups

An analysis of the jobs held by the local workers in Sunshine Coast in 2021/22 shows the three largest industries were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (31,868 people or 19.6%)
  • Construction (19,986 people or 12.3%)
  • Education and Training (16,917 people or 10.4%)

In combination these three industries accounted for 68,772 people in total or 42.3% of the local workers.

In comparison, Queensland employed 15.6% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 9.2% in Construction and 9.2% in Education and Training.

The major differences between the jobs held by local workers of Sunshine Coast and Queensland were:

  • A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Health Care and Social Assistance (19.6% compared to 15.6%)
  • A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Public Administration and Safety (3.4% compared to 6.6%)
  • A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Construction (12.3% compared to 9.2%)
  • A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Mining (0.4% compared to 2.7%)

Emerging groups

The number of local workers in Sunshine Coast increased by 32,098 between 2016/17 and 2021/22.

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+11,564 local workers)
  • Education and Training (+3,865 local workers)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+3,436 local workers)
  • Construction (+2,655 local workers)

Sunshine Coast Council

economic profile