Biggest Industries by Employment in Australia in 2023

1. State Government Administration in Australia

Employment number for 2023: 1,612,290

The State Government Administration industry is made up of the eight state and territory governments across Australia. Under the Australian Constitution, state and territory governments are responsible for everything that is not a Federal Government responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, schools, hospitals, roads and railways. This report includes all actions that state and territory governments undertake. As a result, it double counts key information with other industries in Australia. For example, teachers employed in government schools in Australia are included as employees in both the State Government Administration industry and the Government Schools industry. State and territory... Learn More

2. Professional Services in Australia

Employment number for 2023: 952,500

The Professional Services subdivision provides various professional, scientific and technical services to a range of markets. The subdivision's performance is largely linked to overall economic conditions, which often determine business confidence and capital expenditure. Over the past five years, greater business profit, rising capital expenditure by the public sector and mostly positive business confidence have supported subdivision demand. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted several industries in the Professional Services subdivision, weighing on its performance. In particular, demand for architectural services, and surveying and mapping services fell over the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, as many construction projects were delayed... Learn More

3. Health Services in Australia

Employment number for 2023: 931,646

The Health Services subdivision includes a range of health services and facilities. General hospitals are the subdivision's largest revenue driver, accounting over half of Australia's health services revenue. General practitioners (GPs), clinical specialists and dentists also represent significant revenue streams for the subdivision. Australia's growing and ageing population has supported demand for health services over the past five years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has limited subdivision expansion, as health services have redirected resources to contain the virus. Consequently, subdivision revenue is expected to grow at an annualised 2.2% over the five years through 2022-23, to $197.8 billion. The industry's growth... Learn More

4. Community Services in Australia

Employment number for 2023: 879,440

Organisations in the Community Services subdivision play an important role in supporting Australia's welfare system. Subdivision operators help to arrange care and counsel for individuals in need, including the economically disadvantaged and other vulnerable members of society like children and the elderly. Favourable demographic trends and ongoing government funding have supported the subdivision's performance in recent years.

At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped the subdivision's operating backdrop, with many Australians experiencing social and economic disadvantages, housing insecurity and mental health challenges arising from the prolonged pandemic. A series of high-profile cases of abuse, neglect and negligence among prominent... Learn More

5. Consumer Goods Retailing in Australia

Employment number for 2023: 677,638

The Consumer Goods Retailing subdivision has been subject to volatile retail conditions over the past five years. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic uncertainty and restricted trading for extended periods in several Australian states. However, the pandemic has also prevented many consumers from spending money on hospitality and travel, allowing greater income to be spent on consumer goods. As a result, subdivision revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 2.4% over the five years through 2022-23, to $220.4 billion. This result includes an expected 7.8% decline in the current year, as easing COVID-19 restrictions increase competition for consumer spending... Learn More

6. Temporary Staff Services in Australia

Employment number for 2023: 501,985

Temporary staff service firms are susceptible to changes in the national unemployment rate, with lower unemployment contributing to greater demand for temporary staff in recent years. Trends towards greater business outsourcing have positively affected industry demand. Stable demand from several downstream markets has benefited industry firms, including professional services and healthcare sectors.

Before the pandemic, industry revenue grew rapidly. The pandemic disrupted the industry, causing revenue to decline slightly in 2019-20 and significantly in 2020-21. Previous strong industry revenue growth was due to falls in the national unemployment rate, which drove demand for temporary staff that industry firms supply. In contrast,... Learn More

7. Supermarkets and Grocery Stores in Australia

Employment number for 2023: 392,983

The Supermarkets and Grocery Stores industry is one of the most fiercely competitive industries in Australia. The continued expansion of Aldi and Costco has forced the two established industry giants, Woolworths and Coles, to remain price competitive. To differentiate themselves from low-cost supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths have increasingly focused on improving customers' shopping experience through store refurbishments and increased online shopping capabilities. These supermarket giants are increasingly relying on loyalty programs and promotions rather than discounts. Coles and Woolworths have also displayed a lot of interest in data analytics, have strengthened their relationships with analytics firms and taken a lot... Learn More

8. Public General Hospitals in Australia

Employment number for 2023: 370,778

The Public General Hospitals industry has grown over the past five years, supported in part by increased government funding. Public hospitals are primarily funded through federal and state governments, with private health insurance and other non-public revenue sources expected to account for less than 10% of industry funding in 2022-23. Public hospitals services funding under the National Health Reform Agreement is expected to reach $27.3 billion in the current year, having steadily increased over the past five years. At the same time, demand for public general hospitals has risen over the past five years, primarily due to Australia's ageing population... Learn More

9. Government Schools in Australia

Employment number for 2023: 321,223

The Government Schools industry has grown due to rising student numbers and government funding over the past five years. The industry receives most of its income from the federal, state and territory governments, with state and territory funding providing approximately 80% of revenue. Political debate surrounding school funding has introduced volatility to industry revenue over the past five years. However, student enrolment numbers have increased over the period, driving growth in revenue. Overall, industry revenue is expected to rise at an annualised 0.9% over the five years through 2026-27, to total $54.8 billion. This includes an anticipated increase of 1.4%... Learn More

10. Aged Care Residential Services in Australia

Employment number for 2023: 311,474

As Australia's population ages, the need for age-appropriate housing grows. Older individuals are more susceptible to a range of age-related ailments and need more assistance with everyday activities and personal care. The Aged Care Residential Services industry is growing as aged care requirements are changing, and operators now offer different lifestyle accommodation options.

However, a challenging operating environment is limiting growth. Despite government efforts to implement policies to create a more consumer-driven, market-based system, concerns about the quality of care provided by aged care residential providers are currently at the forefront. These concerns follow a series of high-profile cases of abuse,... Learn More