EMPLOYED PERSONS CHARACTERISTICS

In August 2015, there were 11.6 million employed persons, of which 9.6 million were employees, 808,100 were owner managers of incorporated enterprises (OMIEs) and 1.3 million were owner managers of unincorporated enterprises (OMUEs). (Datacube 5)

Characteristics of employed persons:

• 87% of all employed persons worked in the private sector, of whom 56% were male;
• 19% of all employed persons had been with their current employer/business for less than 1 year, 41% 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; (Datacube 5)
• 24% were usually required to be on call or standby;
• 59% usually worked five days a week; 9% usually worked six days a week; and a further 6% usually worked seven days a week;
• 18% usually worked on Saturdays, and 11% (1.3 million) usually worked on Sundays; and
• 64% worked on weekdays only, while 32% (4 million) worked on both weekdays and weekends. (Datacube 7)

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, 96% (1.7 million) were employees, 0.4% (6,500) were OMIEs and 4% (61,300) were OMUEs;
• Of employed persons aged 35–54, 79% (4 million) were employees, 9% (451,000) were OMIEs and 12% (606,500) were OMUEs;
• Of employed persons aged 65 and over, 54% (230,600) were employees, 17% (72,700) were OMIEs and 30% (128,000) were OMUEs; and
• Just over half of employed males (52%) (140,400) aged 65 years and over were either OMIEs or OMUEs. (Datacube 6)

LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS

In August 2015, there were 9.6 million employees, of which 51% were males. Of these, 76% had paid leave entitlements, while 2.3 million were without paid leave entitlements. (Datacube 6)

The industry Division with the most employees without paid leave entitlements was Accommodation and food services (20%) followed by Retail trade (17%). (Datacube 6)

The occupation group with the most employees without paid leave entitlements was Sales workers and Community and personal service workers (both 20%). (Datacube 6)

As a percentage of each age group, 15–19 year olds had the highest proportion of employees without paid leave entitlements (73%). 20–24 year olds had the next highest proportion (42%). (Datacube 6)

LOCATION

New South Wales had the highest number of employed persons (3.7 million) followed by Victoria (2.9 million) and Queensland (2.3 million). Northern Territory had the lowest number of employed persons (128,800). (Datacube 4)

Northern Territory had the highest proportion of full-time workers in their main job (81%) followed by Australian Capital Territory (72%). Tasmania had the lowest proportion of full-time workers (63%). (Datacube 4)

INDUSTRY OF MAIN JOB

The industry division employing the most persons was Health care and social assistance (13%) followed by Retail trade (11%). Of the 5.4 million employed females, approximately 22% worked in the Health care and social assistance. In contrast, of the 6.3 million employed males, the Construction industry Division employed the most males (14%). (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 (89%) followed by Mining (85%). (Datacube 5)

OCCUPATION OF MAIN JOB

The occupation group with the most employed persons was Professionals (23%) followed by Technicians and trades workers (15%). (Datacube 5)

The occupation group with the highest proportion of males was Machinery operators and drivers (90%) followed by Technicians and trades workers (86%). In contrast, the occupation group with the highest proportion of females was Clerical and administrative workers (75%) followed by Community and personal service workers (68%). (Datacube 5)

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

In August 2015, 3.5 million employed persons usually worked from home in their main job, comprising 59% employees, 17% OMIEs and 24% OMUEs. (Datacube 7)

Approximately 1.9 million employed persons usually worked shift work, with 92% being employees. Of those who usually worked shift work, 72% had paid leave entitlements. (Datacube 7)

There were 1.8 million employed persons who would prefer to work fewer hours than they usually worked each week in all jobs. Of these, 36% would prefer to work 6-10 fewer weekly hours, while 1-5 fewer weekly hours and 11-15 fewer weekly hours were the next most common preference for fewer hours, both 16%. (Datacube 7)

EDUCATION

There were 7.9 million, 67% of employed persons, who had a non-school qualification. Of these:

• 16% were in the Healthcare and social assistance industry Division followed by Professional, scientific and technical services and Education and training (both 10%); and
• 31% were in the Professionals occupation group followed by Technicians and trades workers (16%). (Datacube 8)

Just over 3.5 million (30%) employed persons had a Bachelor degree or above, while 2.4 million (21%) employed persons had a Certificate III/IV. (Datacube 6)

EMPLOYEE CHARACTERISTICS

In August 2015, there were 9.6 million employees. Of these:

• 51% were males; (Datacube 5)
• 68% worked full-time in their main job;
• 63% usually worked 5 days of the week;
• 82% who worked weekdays only had paid leave entitlements;
• 81% who worked weekends only were without paid leave entitlements; (Datacube 7)
• 88% aged 55–59 years had paid leave entitlements, followed by the 35-44 and 45–54 year age groups (both 87%); and
• 82% aged 55–59 years had paid leave entitlements, followed by the 25-34 and 45–54 year age groups (both 80%). (Datacube 6)

OMIEs CHARACTERISTICS

In August 2015, there were 808,100 OMIEs. Of these:

• 70% were males; (Datacube 5)
• 76% worked full-time in their main job;
• 92% had been with their current business for 1 year or more;
• 35% were Managers;
• 18% worked in the Professional, scientific and technical services industry Division;
• 36% had a Bachelor degree or above; (Datacube 6)
• 61% had employees;
• 73% usually worked from home in their business;
• 53% usually worked on weekdays only; and
• 86% usually worked 5 or more days a week. (Datacube 7)

OMUEs CHARACTERISTICS

In August 2015 there were 1.3 million OMUEs. Of these:

• 64% were males; (Datacube 5)
• 61% worked full-time in their main job;
• 87% had been with their current business for 1 year or more;
• 25% were Technicians and trades workers;
• 21% worked in the Construction industry Division;
• 29% had a Certificate level qualification; (Datacube 6)
• 79% did not have employees;
• 67% usually worked from home in their business;
• 49% usually worked on weekdays only; and
• 78% usually worked 5 or more days a week. (Datacube 7)