RDA Darling Downs and South West Region
Employment by industry (Total)
In the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region, Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employer, generating 19,907 local jobs in 2019/20.
Employment (total) is the most accurate and up to date measure of the total number of people employed in the RDA Darling Downs and South West 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 RDA Darling Downs and South West 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 RDA Darling Downs and South West 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.
NOTE: Detailed notes about how the figures are derived can be found in the specific topic notes section.
National Economics (NIEIR) - Modelled series
| Employment (total) by industry | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RDA Darling Downs and South West Region | 2019/20 | 2014/15 | Change | ||||||
| Industry (Click rows to view sub-categories) | Number | % | Queensland% | Number | % | Queensland% | 2014/15 to 2019/20 | ||
| Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | 16,249 | 11.7 | 3.1 | 13,756 | 10.3 | 2.8 | +2,493 | 23000 | P |
| Mining | 4,188 | 3.0 | 2.6 | 6,061 | 4.5 | 2.8 | -1,873 | 23100 | P |
| Manufacturing | 9,929 | 7.1 | 6.9 | 9,698 | 7.3 | 7.0 | +231 | 23200 | P |
| Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services | 3,404 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 2,514 | 1.9 | 1.3 | +890 | 23300 | P |
| Construction | 13,736 | 9.9 | 9.7 | 12,247 | 9.2 | 9.3 | +1,489 | 23400 | P |
| Wholesale Trade | 4,014 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 3,924 | 2.9 | 3.1 | +91 | 23500 | P |
| Retail Trade | 12,401 | 8.9 | 9.5 | 12,780 | 9.6 | 10.2 | -379 | 23600 | P |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 7,636 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 7,870 | 5.9 | 7.3 | -235 | 23700 | P |
| Transport, Postal and Warehousing | 5,766 | 4.1 | 5.1 | 6,632 | 5.0 | 5.2 | -866 | 23800 | P |
| Information Media and Telecommunications | 1,158 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 1,684 | 1.3 | 1.4 | -526 | 23900 | P |
| Financial and Insurance Services | 2,695 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 2,658 | 2.0 | 2.7 | +38 | 24000 | P |
| Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services | 1,444 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 1,824 | 1.4 | 2.0 | -380 | 24100 | P |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 6,530 | 4.7 | 7.1 | 4,978 | 3.7 | 6.8 | +1,551 | 24200 | P |
| Administrative and Support Services | 3,148 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 2,920 | 2.2 | 3.5 | +227 | 24300 | P |
| Public Administration and Safety | 8,277 | 5.9 | 6.8 | 8,909 | 6.7 | 6.6 | -632 | 24400 | P |
| Education and Training | 12,490 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 12,303 | 9.2 | 9.1 | +187 | 24500 | P |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 19,907 | 14.3 | 13.8 | 16,207 | 12.1 | 12.9 | +3,700 | 24600 | P |
| Arts and Recreation Services | 1,009 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1,300 | 1.0 | 1.7 | -291 | 24700 | P |
| Other Services | 5,436 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 5,449 | 4.1 | 4.2 | -13 | 24800 | P |
| Total Industries | 139,418 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 133,715 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +5,703 | ||
Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) (opens a new window) ©2021. Compiled and presented in economy.id by .id (opens a new window)(informed decisions).
NIEIR-ID data are adjusted each year, using updated employment estimates. Each release may change previous years’ figures.Learn more
Dominant groups
An analysis of the jobs held by the local workers in RDA Darling Downs and South West Region in 2019/20 shows the three largest industries were:
- Health Care and Social Assistance (19,907 people or 14.3%)
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (16,249 people or 11.7%)
- Construction (13,736 people or 9.9%)
In combination these three industries accounted for 49,892 people in total or 35.8% of the local workers.
In comparison, Queensland employed 13.8% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 3.1% in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; and 9.7% in Construction.
The major differences between the jobs held by local workers of the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region and Queensland were:
- A larger percentage of local workers employed in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (11.7% compared to 3.1%)
- A larger percentage of local workers employed in Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services (2.4% compared to 1.2%)
- A smaller percentage of local workers employed in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (4.7% compared to 7.1%)
- A smaller percentage of local workers employed in Accommodation and Food Services (5.5% compared to 7.2%)
Emerging groups
The number of local workers in the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region increased by 5,703 between 2014/15 and 2019/20.
The largest changes in the jobs held by local workers between 2014/15 and 2019/20 in the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region were for those employed in:
- Health Care and Social Assistance (+3,700 local workers)
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (+2,493 local workers)
- Mining (-1,873 local workers)
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+1,551 local workers)