Sunshine Coast

Resident workers - Industry

Total industries employs more of Sunshine Coast'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 Sunshine Coast residents are employed in the industry sectors that are located in Sunshine Coast, 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 Sunshine Coast 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

Current benchmark:
Sex:
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Resident workers industry of employment
Sunshine Coast - Persons 20212016Change
Industry (Click rows to view sub-categories)Number%. Regional QLDNumber%. Regional QLD2016 - 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing2,4571.54.32,2991.84.7+158
Mining2,5061.63.51,8821.53.5+624
Manufacturing7,4364.65.46,2694.85.5+1,167
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services1,5431.01.21,2441.01.1+299
Construction19,43812.19.615,76212.29.3+3,676
Wholesale Trade3,0461.92.12,7292.12.3+317
Retail Trade15,6979.89.614,17610.910.3+1,521
Accommodation and Food Services13,2738.38.010,9298.48.2+2,344
Transport, Postal and Warehousing4,9743.14.14,3983.44.5+576
Information Media and Telecommunications1,4250.90.81,3991.11.0+26
Financial and Insurance Services4,5882.91.83,5622.71.9+1,026
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services3,1221.91.72,9262.32.0+196
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services9,8466.14.87,2785.64.6+2,568
Administrative and Support Services5,5623.53.34,9953.93.5+567
Public Administration and Safety6,2643.95.65,4794.26.0+785
Education and Training14,1758.88.711,6319.08.8+2,544
Health Care and Social Assistance28,81418.015.419,40615.012.8+9,408
Arts and Recreation Services2,8411.81.62,4041.91.6+437
Other Services6,3464.04.15,1344.04.0+1,212
Industry not classified6,9344.34.45,7304.44.3+1,204
Total Persons160,287100.0100.0129,632100.0100.0+30,655

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 Sunshine Coast in 2021shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (28,814 people or 18.0%)
  • Construction (19,438 people or 12.1%)
  • Retail Trade (15,697 people or 9.8%)

In combination these three industries employed 63,949 people in total or 39.9% of the total resident workforce.

In comparison, Regional QLD employed 15.4% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 9.6% in Construction and 9.6% in Retail Trade.

The major differences between the jobs held by the resident workforce of Sunshine Coast and Regional QLD were:

  • A smaller percentage of resident workforce employed in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (1.5% compared to 4.3%)
  • A larger percentage of resident workforce employed in Health Care and Social Assistance (18.0% compared to 15.4%)
  • A larger percentage of resident workforce employed in Construction (12.1% compared to 9.6%)
  • A smaller percentage of resident workforce employed in Mining (1.6% compared to 3.5%)

Emerging groups

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

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+9,408 resident workforce)
  • Construction (+3,676 resident workforce)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+2,568 resident workforce)
  • Education and Training (+2,544 resident workforce)

Sunshine Coast Council

economic profile