Greater Sydney

Resident workers - Industry

Total industries employs more of Greater Sydney's resident workforce than any other industry sector.

Industry sector data identifies the industries in which the residents of an area work either within the residing area or elsewhere. Comparing the industry sectors in which Greater Sydney residents are employed in the industry sectors that are located in Greater Sydney, indicates whether an economy draws on the skills offered by its own residents, or on a different set of skills imported from elsewhere in the region.

Industry sector statistics in Greater Sydney are influenced by a range of factors including:

  • The economic base and employment opportunities available within commuting distance;
  • The educational levels of the local population; and
  • The working and social aspirations of the local population.

Industry sector data should be viewed in conjunction with Residents place of work.

Data source

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) – Census 2016 and 2021 – by usual residence

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Resident workers industry of employment
Greater Sydney - Persons 20212016Change
Industry (Click rows to view sub-categories)Number%. New South WalesNumber%. New South Wales2016 - 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing9,1120.42.08,5190.42.1+593
Mining4,0060.21.03,6710.20.9+335
Manufacturing122,3575.45.5122,1065.75.8+251
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services18,5440.81.015,8510.70.9+2,693
Construction180,8987.98.6170,5948.08.4+10,304
Wholesale Trade75,5553.32.878,0153.73.1-2,460
Retail Trade198,4268.79.0196,4259.29.7+2,001
Accommodation and Food Services122,7685.46.2141,2566.67.1-18,488
Transport, Postal and Warehousing117,4125.24.6108,4055.14.7+9,007
Information Media and Telecommunications56,0142.51.860,7582.82.2-4,744
Financial and Insurance Services164,4667.25.3140,1286.64.9+24,338
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services43,5301.91.741,7582.01.8+1,772
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services256,19811.28.9216,20710.18.1+39,991
Administrative and Support Services72,7453.23.276,4103.63.5-3,665
Public Administration and Safety123,6605.46.1115,7225.46.0+7,938
Education and Training194,1848.58.7172,0498.18.4+22,135
Health Care and Social Assistance298,63913.114.4241,95211.312.5+56,687
Arts and Recreation Services34,3771.51.435,0281.61.5-651
Other Services71,7633.13.475,0363.53.7-3,273
Industry not classified113,7215.04.6110,5505.24.7+3,171
Total Persons2,278,375100.0100.02,130,440100.0100.0+147,935

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions)

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Dominant groups

Analysis of the jobs held by the resident workforce in Greater Sydney in 2021shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (298,639 people or 13.1%)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (256,198 people or 11.2%)
  • Retail Trade (198,426 people or 8.7%)

In combination these three industries employed 753,263 people in total or 33.0% of the total resident workforce.

In comparison, New South Wales employed 14.4% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 8.9% in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services and 9.0% in Retail Trade.

The major differences between the jobs held by the resident workforce of Greater Sydney and New South Wales were:

  • A larger percentage of resident workforce employed in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (11.2% compared to 8.9%)
  • A larger percentage of resident workforce employed in Financial and Insurance Services (7.2% compared to 5.3%)
  • A smaller percentage of resident workforce employed in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (0.4% compared to 2.0%)
  • A smaller percentage of resident workforce employed in Health Care and Social Assistance (13.1% compared to 14.4%)

Emerging groups

The largest changes in the jobs held by the resident workforce between 2016 and 2021 in Greater Sydney were for those employed in:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+56,687 resident workforce)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+39,991 resident workforce)
  • Financial and Insurance Services (+24,338 resident workforce)
  • Education and Training (+22,135 resident workforce)

Greater Sydney

economic profile