Production managers is the top employing occupation in the industry, with a mostly male, full-time employed, VET qualified 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Production managers | 9,200 | 84% | 16% |
Food and drink factory workers | 8,800 | 70% | 30% |
Packers | 7,900 | 38% | 62% |
Structural steel and welding trades workers | 7,400 | 99% | 1% |
Sales assistants (general) | 6,200 | 23% | 77% |
Product assemblers | 5,300 | 78% | 22% |
Cabinetmakers | 5,200 | 96% | 4% |
Storepersons | 5,200 | 74% | 26% |
Metal fitters and machinists | 4,900 | 99% | 1% |
Forklift drivers | 4,800 | 96% | 4% |
Percentage working part-time in 2021
Occupation | Percentage working part-time |
|---|---|
Production managers | 7% |
Food and drink factory workers | 23% |
Packers | 35% |
Structural steel and welding trades workers | 11% |
Sales assistants (general) | 74% |
Product assemblers | 16% |
Cabinetmakers | 14% |
Storepersons | 23% |
Metal fitters and machinists | 8% |
Forklift drivers | 10% |
Highest educational attainment in 2021
Occupation | Percentage VET | Percentage higher education | Percentage no post-school qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
Production managers | 40% | 31% | 29% |
Food and drink factory workers | 27% | 16% | 57% |
Packers | 20% | 16% | 64% |
Structural steel and welding trades workers | 66% | 4% | 30% |
Sales assistants (general) | 17% | 11% | 72% |
Product assemblers | 28% | 14% | 58% |
Cabinetmakers | 65% | 6% | 29% |
Storepersons | 28% | 14% | 58% |
Metal fitters and machinists | 82% | 5% | 13% |
Forklift drivers | 26% | 6% | 68% |
Updated