The retail trade workforce is younger and predominantly female, with almost half holding a post-school qualification.
Employment
Employment by industry in 2025
- 349,000 employed1
- 9.3% Victorian employment share
- 4th share rank.
Employment by industry subdivision in 2025
Industry subdivision | Number of workers |
|---|---|
Other store-based retailing | 210,000 |
Food retailing | 98,000 |
Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts retailing | 24,900 |
Non-store retailing and retail commission-based buying and/or selling | 8,700 |
Fuel retailing | 7,800 |
Workforce profile
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding.
Age distribution in 2021
Age profile – industry
Age | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
15 to 24 years | 30% |
25 to 49 years | 47% |
50 years and over | 23% |
Age profile – all industries
Age | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
15 to 24 years | 14% |
25 to 49 years | 57% |
50 years and over | 29% |
Sex distribution² in 2021
Sex distribution – industry
Sex | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
Female | 56% |
Male | 44% |
Sex distribution – all industries
Sex | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
Female | 49% |
Male | 51% |
Highest level of education in 2021
Highest level of education – industry
Education | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
VET | 24% |
Higher education | 25% |
No post-school qualifications | 51% |
Highest level of education – all industries
Education | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
VET | 30% |
Higher education | 41% |
No post-school qualifications | 29% |
Workforce diversity
First Nations employment in 2021
Group | Percentage identifying as First Nations |
|---|---|
Industry | 0.7% |
All industries | 0.7% |
Working age population | 0.9% |
Speaks a language other than English³ in 2021
Group | Percentage speaking a language other than English at home |
|---|---|
Industry | 26.4% |
All industries | 27.4% |
Working age population | 34.4% |
Needs assistance with core activities⁴ in 2021
Group | Percentage needing assistance with core activities |
|---|---|
Industry | 1.0% |
All industries | 0.9% |
Working age population | 3.2% |
Updated