Mining Statistics | news

EMPLOYMENT IN THE MINING INDUSTRY

Results compiled from the 2008-09 ABS Economic Activity Survey (EAS) and data reported to the Australian Taxation Office in Business Activity Statements (BAS) show the Mining Industry employed 135,000 persons as at end of June 2009. This was a 5% increase on the 128,000 estimated for the previous year.

This 135,000 includes persons working for businesses during the last pay period ending in June of the given year as well as working proprietors and partners, employees absent on paid or prepaid leave, employees on workers' compensation, and contract workers. The estimate excludes persons paid by commission only, non-salaried directors, volunteers and self-employed persons such as consultants and contractors.

The state employing the most persons in mining businesses in 2008-09 was Western Australia with 56,000. Queensland followed with 37,000 while New South Wales mining businesses employed 24,000 persons. Overall, employment in the mining industry rose marginally in most states except for Tasmania where levels remained constant.

In total, employees of Australia's mining industry took home $15.5 billion in wages and salaries, $2.8b more than the previous year.

These estimates were published in Australian Industry, (cat. no. 8155.0).