EMPLOYED PERSONS CHARACTERISTICS

In August 2016, there were 11.8 million employed persons, of whom 9.8 million were employees, 826,900 were owner managers of incorporated enterprises (OMIEs) and 1.2 million were owner managers of unincorporated enterprises (OMUEs). (Datacube 3)

Characteristics of employed persons were:

• 87% of all employed persons worked in the private sector, of whom 56% were male; (Datacube 6)
• 20% of all employed persons had been with their current employer/business for less than 1 year, 34% had been with their current employer/business for 1–5 years and 11% had been with their current employer/business for 20 years or more;

STATUS OF EMPLOYMENT AND AGE

Younger persons were more likely to be employees rather than OMIEs or OMUEs. As age increases, generally the proportion of employees decreases, while the proportion of OMIEs and OMUEs increases. However, being an employee was the most common form of employment for all employed persons for all age ranges.

• Of employed persons aged 15–24, 97% (1.7 million) were employees; 0.4% (7,200) were OMIEs and 3% (46,000) were OMUEs; (Datacube 6)
• Of employed persons aged 35–54, 80% (4 million) were employees, 8% (428,800) were OMIEs and 11% (581,000) were OMUEs;
• Of employed persons aged 65 and over, 55% (247,700) were employees, 18% (81,000) were OMIEs and 27% (122,300) were OMUEs; and
• Almost half of employed males (49%) (136,600) aged 65 years and over were either OMIEs or OMUEs.

LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS

In August 2016, there were 9.8 million employees, of which 7.4 million (75%) had paid leave entitlements, while 2.5 million (25%) were without paid leave entitlements. (Datacube 6)

The industry divisions with the most employees without paid leave entitlements were Accommodation and food services (20%) and Retail trade (15%).

The occupation group with the most employees without paid leave entitlements were Labourers and Community and personal service workers (both 20%).

As a percentage of each age group, 15–19 year olds had the highest proportion of employees without paid leave entitlements (75%). 20–24 year olds had the next highest proportion (41%) followed by those aged 65 and over (36%).

LOCATION

New South Wales had the highest number of employed persons (3.8 million) followed by Victoria (3 million) and Queensland (2.3 million). Northern Territory had the lowest number of employed persons (123,000). (Datacube 4)

Northern Territory had the highest proportion of full-time workers in their main job (80%) followed by Australian Capital Territory (72%). Tasmania and South Australia had the lowest proportion of full-time workers (both 63%).

INDUSTRY OF MAIN JOB

The industry division employing the most persons was Health care and social assistance (13%) followed by Retail trade (10%). Of the 5.5 million employed females, approximately 21% worked in the Health care and social assistance. In contrast, of the 6.4 million employed males, the Construction industry division employed the most males (15%). (Datacube 5)

The Health care and social assistance industry division employed the highest proportion of females (78%) followed by the Education and training industry division (71%). The industry division employing the highest proportion of males was Construction (88%) followed by Mining (85%).

OCCUPATION OF MAIN JOB

The occupation group with the most employed persons was Professionals (24%) followed by Technicians and trades workers (14%). (Datacube 5)

The occupation group with the highest proportion of males was Machinery operators and drivers (91%) followed by Technicians and trades workers (85%). In contrast, the occupation group with the highest proportion of females was Clerical and administrative workers (74%) followed by Community and personal service workers (69%).

EDUCATION

There were 8 million (67%) employed persons who had a non-school qualification. Of these: (Datacube 8)

• 16% were in the Healthcare and social assistance industry division, with around 11% employed in the Education and training and the Professional, scientific and technical services industries; and
• 32% were in the Professionals occupation group, with the second largest group being Technicians and trades workers (15%).

3.8 million (32%) employed persons had a Bachelor degree or above, while 2.4 million (20%) employed persons had a Certificate III/IV.

EMPLOYEE CHARACTERISTICS

In August 2016, there were 9.8 million employees. Of these:

• 51% were males; (Datacube 6)
• 67% worked full-time in their main job; (Datacube 5)
• 24% were professionals; (Datacube 6)
• 14% worked in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry division;
• 84% of employees aged 45-54 years had paid leave entitlements, followed by 83% of 35-44 years and 81% of 55-59 year age groups; and
• 32% level of highest educational attainment was Bachelor degree or above, followed by Certificate III/IV (19%) and Year 12 (18%).

OMIEs CHARACTERISTICS

In August 2016, there were 826,900 OMIEs. Of these:

• 71% were males; (Datacube 5)
• 77% worked full-time in their main job;
• 92% had been with their current business for 1 year or more; (Datacube 6)
• 34% were Managers;
• 19% worked in the Construction industry division;
• 35% had a Bachelor degree or above; and
• 59% had employees.

OMUEs CHARACTERISTICS

In August 2016 there were 1.2 million OMUEs. Of these:

• 62% were males; (Datacube 5)
• 59% worked full-time in their main job;
• 88% had been with their current business for 1 year or more; (Datacube 6)
• 24% were Technicians and trades workers;
• 21% worked in the Construction industry division;
• 29% had a Certificate level qualification; and
• 80% did not have employees.