Canberra Region

Employment by industry (Total)

In the Canberra Region, Construction is the largest employer, generating 19,302 local jobs in 2021/22.

Employment (total) is the most accurate and up to date measure of the total number of people employed in the Canberra Region. 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 the Canberra Region 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 the Canberra Region'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.
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Employment (total) by industry
Canberra Region2021/222016/17Change
IndustryNumber%. NSWNumber%. NSW2016/17 - 2021/22
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing8,6556.82.19,6588.72.2-1,004
Mining8970.71.16990.61.1+198
Manufacturing7,9796.36.27,6866.97.0+293
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services1,9581.51.11,4851.31.0+474
Construction19,30215.18.911,20510.19.0+8,097
Wholesale Trade2,7292.13.02,1391.93.4+591
Retail Trade11,9379.49.311,89910.79.6+38
Accommodation and Food Services11,4699.06.011,18710.16.9+282
Transport, Postal and Warehousing4,5293.65.14,5454.15.2-17
Information Media and Telecommunications1,1410.92.29400.82.4+202
Financial and Insurance Services1,3861.15.51,2711.14.8+115
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services1,8321.41.81,6601.51.7+172
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services5,9144.610.14,6204.29.4+1,294
Administrative and Support Services4,4303.53.33,6293.33.5+801
Public Administration and Safety8,6206.86.16,9466.25.7+1,674
Education and Training9,7637.78.69,0228.18.5+741
Health Care and Social Assistance16,90513.314.215,90614.313.1+999
Arts and Recreation Services2,2271.71.62,5302.31.7-304
Other Services5,8514.63.84,1573.73.7+1,693
Total industries127,525100.0100.0111,185100.0100.0+16,340

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.
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Dominant groups

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

  • Construction (19,302 people or 15.1%)
  • Health Care and Social Assistance (16,905 people or 13.3%)
  • Retail Trade (11,937 people or 9.4%)

In combination these three industries accounted for 48,145 people in total or 37.8% of the local workers.

In comparison, NSW employed 8.9% in Construction; 14.2% in Health Care and Social Assistance and 9.3% in Retail Trade.

The major differences between the jobs held by local workers of the Canberra Region and NSW were:

  • A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Construction (15.1% compared to 8.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (4.6% compared to 10.1%)
  • A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (6.8% compared to 2.1%)
  • A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Financial and Insurance Services (1.1% compared to 5.5%)

Emerging groups

The number of local workers in the Canberra Region increased by 16,340 between 2016/17 and 2021/22.

  • Construction (+8,097 local workers)
  • Other Services (+1,693 local workers)
  • Public Administration and Safety (+1,674 local workers)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+1,294 local workers)

Canberra Region Joint Organisation area

economic profile