Commercial and domestic cleaners are the top employing occupations in the industry, characterised by a largely female, part‑time workforce.
Largest employing occupations within the industry by sex, employed part-time and highest education attainment
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding.
Number employed by sex², ABS Census 2021
Occupation | Number of workers | Percentage male | Percentage female |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial cleaners | 17,200 | 47% | 53% |
Domestic cleaners | 7,500 | 22% | 78% |
Gardeners | 7,400 | 88% | 12% |
Human resource professionals | 6,000 | 36% | 64% |
Garden and nursery labourers | 2,100 | 91% | 9% |
Packers | 2,000 | 39% | 61% |
Tourism and travel advisers | 1,900 | 23% | 77% |
Call or contact centre workers | 1,900 | 44% | 56% |
General clerks | 1,700 | 13% | 87% |
Storepersons | 1,700 | 61% | 39% |
Percentage working part-time, 2021
Occupation | Percentage working part-time |
|---|---|
Commercial cleaners | 73% |
Domestic cleaners | 88% |
Gardeners | 58% |
Human resource professionals | 18% |
Garden and nursery labourers | 60% |
Packers | 50% |
Tourism and travel advisers | 48% |
Call or contact centre workers | 36% |
General clerks | 56% |
Storepersons | 54% |
Highest educational attainment, 2021
Occupation | Percentage VET | Percentage higher education | Percentage no post-school qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial cleaners | 24% | 27% | 49% |
Domestic cleaners | 29% | 16% | 55% |
Gardeners | 44% | 12% | 44% |
Human resource professionals | 30% | 48% | 22% |
Garden and nursery labourers | 37% | 7% | 56% |
Packers | 15% | 14% | 71% |
Tourism and travel advisers | 48% | 29% | 23% |
Call or contact centre workers | 27% | 33% | 40% |
General clerks | 33% | 26% | 41% |
Storepersons | 23% | 25% | 52% |
Updated