Western Downs Regional Council

Resident workers - Industry

Total industries employs more of Western Downs Regional Council'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 Western Downs Regional Council residents are employed in the industry sectors that are located in Western Downs Regional Council, 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 Western Downs Regional Council 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
Western Downs Regional Council - Persons 20212016Change
Industry (Click rows to view sub-categories)Number%. QueenslandNumber%. Queensland2016 - 2021
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing2,78018.42.62,78919.32.8-9
Mining5813.82.35984.12.3-17
Manufacturing7264.85.77275.06.0-1
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services4573.01.24092.81.1+48
Construction1,2958.69.11,3119.19.0-16
Wholesale Trade3882.62.44162.92.6-28
Retail Trade1,4359.59.31,3359.39.9+100
Accommodation and Food Services8915.97.28505.97.3+41
Transport, Postal and Warehousing6254.14.75734.05.1+52
Information Media and Telecommunications290.21.0560.41.2-27
Financial and Insurance Services1420.92.61701.22.5-28
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services1631.11.81651.12.0-2
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services4483.06.74623.26.3-14
Administrative and Support Services3712.53.43242.23.5+47
Public Administration and Safety7905.26.27975.56.6-7
Education and Training1,2298.18.81,1788.29.0+51
Health Care and Social Assistance1,3488.915.41,0787.513.0+270
Arts and Recreation Services830.51.5710.51.6+12
Other Services5733.83.95193.63.9+54
Industry not classified7505.04.56064.24.3+144
Total Persons15,104100.0100.014,434100.0100.0+670

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 Western Downs Regional Council in 2021shows the three most popular industry sectors were:

  • Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (2,780 people or 18.4%)
  • Retail Trade (1,435 people or 9.5%)
  • Health Care and Social Assistance (1,348 people or 8.9%)

In combination these three industries employed 5,563 people in total or 36.8% of the total resident workforce.

In comparison, Queensland employed 2.6% in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; 9.3% in Retail Trade and 15.4% in Health Care and Social Assistance.

The major differences between the jobs held by the resident workforce of Western Downs Regional Council and Queensland were:

  • A larger percentage of resident workforce employed in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (18.4% compared to 2.6%)
  • A smaller percentage of resident workforce employed in Health Care and Social Assistance (8.9% compared to 15.4%)
  • A smaller percentage of resident workforce employed in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (3.0% compared to 6.7%)
  • A larger percentage of resident workforce employed in Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services (3.0% compared to 1.2%)

Emerging groups

The largest changes in the jobs held by the resident workforce between 2016 and 2021 in Western Downs Regional Council were for those employed in:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+270 resident workforce)
  • Industry not classified (+144 resident workforce)
  • Retail Trade (+100 resident workforce)
  • Other Services (+54 resident workforce)

Western Downs Regional Council

economic profile