1387.3 - Queensland in Review, 2003  
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Contents >> Economic Characteristics of Population >> Employment >> Labour Force Status in Queensland (June 1992 to June 2002)

Links to ABS publications mentioned in the text can be found under 'Other Related Articles' at the bottom of the page.


LABOUR FORCE STATUS AT JUNE 2002

The labour force is the total number of all civilian males and females aged 15 years or over who either actively participate in paid economic activity (employed) or actively seek to participate (unemployed).

In June 2002, there were an estimated 1,053,700 men and 842,500 women in the Queensland labour force, a participation rate of 73.3% and 57.2% respectively.


The number of employed persons in Queensland in June 2002, was 1,756,900, an increase of 32.2% on the figure ten years previously. Of the 982,800 males employed in June 2002, 84.2% were employed full-time; only 53.7% of the 774,100 females were employed full-time.


LABOUR FORCE STATUS, Original Series, Annual Average(a)

1991-1992
2001-2002
Males
Females
Persons
Males
Females
Persons

Employed
- Employed full-time
689,600
315,900
1,005,500
818,200
416,600
1,234,800
- Employed part-time
78,500
235,800
314,300
142,600
349,800
492,500
- Total employed
768,100
551,700
1,319,800
960,800
766,400
1,727,200
Unemployed
- Looking for full-time work
79,600
42,200
121,900
70,300
43,600
113,900
- Looking for part-time work
7,200
14,300
21,400
13,500
20,800
34,300
- Total unemployed
86,800
56,500
143,300
83,800
64,300
148,200
Labour force
854,900
608,200
1,463,100
1,044,700
830,700
1,875,400
Not in the labour force
286,300
558,500
844,800
381,400
627,100
1,008,400
Civilian population aged 15 and over
1,141,200
1,166,700
2,307,900
1,426,000
1,457,800
2,883,800
Unemployment rate (%)
10.2
9.3
9.8
8.0
7.7
7.9
Participation rate (%)
74.9
52.1
63.4
73.3
57.0
65.0

(a) Average of 12 monthly surveys July 1991 to June 1992 and average of 12 monthly surveys July 2001 to June 2002
Source: Labour Force, Australia, (cat. no. 6203.0).

From 1991-92 to 2001-02, the available labour force in Queensland increased by 28.0%, whereas the civilian population aged 15 and over rose only 25.0%. This was due to an increasing rate of participation by the population in the labour force. There was also a significant shift in the composition of the work-force: while the number of full-time workers rose 22.8%, there was a 56.7% increase in those working part-time.

The number of unemployed men fell from 86,800 to 83,900 from 1991-92 to 2000-01. Although there were increasing numbers of men looking for part-time work (7,200 to 13,500), the number looking for full-time work decreased from 79,600 to 70,300. The percentage of men participating in the labour force fell from 74.9% to 73.3% and their unemployment rate fell from 10.2% to 8.0%.

In contrast, over the same period the number of women unemployed rose from 56,500 to 64,300, despite a decrease in the female unemployment rate. This was due to increased numbers of women participating in the labour force, shown by the participation rate rising from 52.1% to 57.0%. There was an increase in the number of women looking for both full-time and part-time work.

Survey data inevitably displays some random variation. Because the labour force survey has been conducted regularly for many years, the raw data can be adjusted for seasonal variation and then smoothed to better display trends. The resulting trend estimates more accurately reflect changes in labour market conditions.

EMPLOYED PERSONS, Queensland

GRAPH - EMPLOYED PERSONS, QUEENSLAND
Source: Labour Force, Australia, (cat. no. 6203.0)


INDUSTRY OF EMPLOYMENT

Four times each year the Labour Force Survey includes questions regarding the industry within which people work.

The Retail trade industry division provided the highest number of jobs in 2001-02, in both Queensland and nationally. This industry division was the largest employer of females in Queensland with 140,725 or 18.4% and the second largest employer of males with 135,775 or 14.2%. The ratio of male to female employment was highest in the Mining industry, and smallest in the Health and community services division.

Of all industry divisions, the largest employer of males was the Manufacturing division, accounting for 14.2% of employed men (136,200), slightly more than the 135,775 men employed in the Retail trade industry. These two industries together provided 28.4% of jobs for Queensland men. The same industry divisions were also the highest employers of males nationally. The Electricity, gas and water division employed the smallest number of men.

The Health and community services division was the second highest employer of females with 128,250 or 16.7%. Together with Retail trade, 35.1% of female employment was concentrated in these two industry divisions. Mining employed the smallest number of women.


EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY, Annual Average, 2001-2002(a)

Queensland
Australia

Males
Females
Males
Females
Number
%
Number
%
%
%

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
72,850
7.6
32,125
4.2
5.9
3.4
Mining
18,025
1.9
1,550
0.2
1.4
0.2
Manufacturing
136,200
14.2
45,975
6.0
15.8
7.0
Electricity, gas and water
10,850
1.1
2,925
0.4
1.0
0.4
Construction
119,600
12.5
19,625
2.6
12.0
2.2
Wholesale trade
59,800
6.2
23,275
3.0
5.9
3.3
Retail trade
135,775
14.2
140,725
18.4
13.3
17.5
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
44,550
4.7
59,875
7.8
3.9
6.5
Transport and storage
62,400
6.5
19,600
2.6
6.2
2.4
Communication services
16,800
1.8
7,900
1.0
2.3
1.2
Finance and insurance
18,700
2.0
26,575
3.5
3.0
4.8
Property and business services
93,775
9.8
79,750
10.4
11.2
11.5
Government administration and defence
40,125
4.2
34,925
4.6
4.2
4.4
Education
36,000
3.8
86,100
11.2
4.0
10.8
Health and community services
34,950
3.6
128,250
16.7
3.9
17.4
Cultural and recreational services
18,675
1.9
21,875
2.9
2.4
2.8
Personal and other services
38,675
4.0
34,675
4.5
3.7
4.3
Total
957,750
100.0
765,725
100.0
100.0
100.0

(a) Average of surveys conducted in August 2001, November 2001, February 2002 and May 2002
Source: ABS data available on request, Labour Force Survey.



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