Employment (total) is the most accurate and up to date measure of the total number of people employed in Western Downs Regional Council. 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 Western Downs Regional Council 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 Western Downs Regional Council'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
Current benchmark:
Comparison year:
| Employment (total) by industry | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Downs Regional Council | 2022/23 | 2017/18 | Change | ||||||
| Industry | Number | % | Queensland | Number | % | Queensland | 2017/18 - 2022/23 | ||
| Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | 2,686 | 14.3 | 2.4 | 2,908 | 15.7 | 2.6 | -223 | ||
| Mining | 1,359 | 7.3 | 2.5 | 1,522 | 8.2 | 2.5 | -163 | ||
| Manufacturing | 1,130 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 934 | 5.0 | 6.9 | +196 | ||
| Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services | 1,141 | 6.1 | 1.3 | 940 | 5.1 | 1.3 | +201 | ||
| Construction | 2,117 | 11.3 | 9.7 | 2,752 | 14.8 | 9.7 | -635 | ||
| Wholesale Trade | 441 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 468 | 2.5 | 2.7 | -27 | ||
| Retail Trade | 1,562 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 1,564 | 8.4 | 9.9 | -2 | ||
| Accommodation and Food Services | 1,013 | 5.4 | 6.9 | 1,081 | 5.8 | 7.2 | -68 | ||
| Transport, Postal and Warehousing | 769 | 4.1 | 5.4 | 672 | 3.6 | 5.5 | +97 | ||
| Information Media and Telecommunications | 48 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 81 | 0.4 | 1.3 | -33 | ||
| Financial and Insurance Services | 143 | 0.8 | 2.7 | 198 | 1.1 | 2.5 | -55 | ||
| Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services | 339 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 169 | 0.9 | 1.9 | +169 | ||
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 649 | 3.5 | 7.4 | 575 | 3.1 | 6.6 | +74 | ||
| Administrative and Support Services | 477 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 394 | 2.1 | 3.4 | +83 | ||
| Public Administration and Safety | 1,129 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 898 | 4.8 | 6.7 | +231 | ||
| Education and Training | 1,326 | 7.1 | 9.2 | 1,329 | 7.2 | 9.2 | -2 | ||
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,492 | 8.0 | 16.2 | 1,386 | 7.5 | 14.1 | +107 | ||
| Arts and Recreation Services | 86 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 91 | 0.5 | 1.7 | -5 | ||
| Other Services | 814 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 616 | 3.3 | 4.1 | +197 | ||
| Total industries | 18,719 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 18,578 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +141 | ||
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 | |||||||||
Dominant groups
An analysis of the jobs held by the local workers in Western Downs Regional Council in 2022/23 shows the three largest industries were:
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (2,686 people or 14.3%)
- Construction (2,117 people or 11.3%)
- Retail Trade (1,562 people or 8.3%)
In combination these three industries accounted for 6,365 people in total or 34.0% of the local workers.
In comparison, Queensland employed 2.4% in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; 9.7% in Construction and 9.1% in Retail Trade.
The major differences between the jobs held by local workers of Western Downs Regional Council and Queensland were:
- A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (14.3% compared to 2.4%)
- A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Health Care and Social Assistance (8.0% compared to 16.2%)
- A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services (6.1% compared to 1.3%)
- A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Mining (7.3% compared to 2.5%)
Emerging groups
The number of local workers in Western Downs Regional Council increased by 141 between 2017/18 and 2022/23.
- Public Administration and Safety (+231 local workers)
- Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services (+201 local workers)
- Other Services (+197 local workers)
- Manufacturing (+196 local workers)