Employment Trends

Census employment data since 1971 is available at Research: Statistics: Employment, covering eight survey periods: 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021. The most recent Census was conducted on August 2021. The next Census will be conducted in 2026.

 

The Census of Population and Housing is the largest statistical operation undertaken by the ABS. It aims to accurately measure the number of people in Australia on Census night, their key characteristics, and the dwellings in which they live. Except for foreign diplomats and their families, visitors to Australia are counted, regardless of how long they have been in the country or how long they plan to stay. Australian residents out of the country on Census night are not included. For employment data, the person’s state or territory is their usual place of residence, not where they were on Census night or where the work was undertaken.

 

Employment data is categorised using industry and occupations definitions, which have changed over the years – the former negligibly, the latter substantially. See below for definitions. Screen Australia has selected appropriate industry categories, and all occupations within these selected industry categories.

Service Industry Surveys are conducted by the ABS for various industries from time to time, and their scope varies depending on the individual survey.

 

See the definitions below for the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classification (ANZSIC) categories used for the survey.

 

Service Industry Surveys were conducted of the film exhibition industry in 1979/80, 1986/87, 1993/94, 1996/97 and 1999/00, and of the video hire industry in 1999/00. The ABS published data from these surveys in Motion Picture Exhibition (cat. no. 8654.0) and Video Hire Industry (cat. no. 8562.0). No updates are available as no further ABS surveys of these industries have been undertaken.

 

The ABS published SIS data for digital game development services for the first time for 2006/07 in Digital Game Development Services Australia 2006/07 (cat. no. 8515.0). The survey included all Australian businesses that generated income predominantly from the development of digital games for a range of formats, including, but not limited to, major consoles, handheld consoles, personal computers and mobile phones. As there is no specific ANZSIC category for digital game development services, the list of businesses was manually compiled by the ABS from information provided by industry associations, supplemented by web-based research.

 

SIS data for television, film and video production and post-production is available for five survey periods: 1993/94, 1996/97, 1999/2000, 2002/03 and 2006/07. Between 1993/94 and 1999/00, the data was published by the ABS as Film and Video Production and Distribution (cat. no. 8679.0). Film and video distribution has not been included since 2002/03, with the ABS instead publishing Television, Film and Video Production (cat. no. 8679.0), which encompassed businesses mainly engaged in film and video production and those engaged in providing commercial television broadcasting services. Television had previously been published in Radio and Television Services (cat. no. 8680.0) in 1993/94 and 1996/97 and in Television Services (cat. no. 8559.0) in 1999/00. Separate post-production data was published for the first time in 2006/07 in Television, Film and Video Production and Post-Production Services (cat. no. 8679.0); previously it was presented as part of production data.

 

In 2006/07, the scope for film and video production and post-production services included all employing and significant non-employing businesses classified, on the ABS Business Register, to the film and video production and post-production services classes of the ANZSIC.

 

Significant non-employing businesses were defined as having an annual turnover of at least $84,000 for motion picture and video production activities and $70,000 for post-production services and other activities. They contributed 22 per cent to the estimated number of businesses, 5.4 per cent to estimated total income and 5.1 per cent to estimated employment in 2006/07 (accounting for 77.3 per cent of the total number of working proprietors and partners).

 

Non-employing businesses were excluded from previous surveys. However, top-line figures for 2002/03 have since been adjusted to include significant non-employing businesses while other figures have been adjusted to correct statistical errors; where possible, these revised figures are used. According to the revised estimates, non-employing businesses contributed 19.6 per cent to the estimated number of businesses, 3.7 per cent to estimated total income and 1.8 per cent to estimated employment in 2002/03.

 

Counts of businesses include only those operating at 30 June. Employment estimates include only those persons working for businesses during the last pay period of June (or the last pay period of the month specified). Financial estimates include the activity of any business that ceased or commenced operations during the financial year.

The ABS has conducted the household LFS since 1960. The survey was undertaken on a quarterly basis before February 1978 and has been conducted monthly since then. The purpose of the LFS is to provide information on the labour market activity of the usually resident civilian population of Australia aged 15 and over.

 

Currently, the LFS is based on a multi-stage area sample of private dwellings (about 22,800 houses, flats, etc.) and a list sample of non-private dwellings (hotels, motels, etc.), covering about 0.24 per cent of the Australian population.

 

As part of the LFS, the ABS periodically collects data on the number of people involved in work related to various culture and leisure activities, classified by type of activity. It includes key characteristics of these people, the nature of the work (whether paid or unpaid), and details of other jobs held during a 12-month period. This data is available for four survey periods: 1997, 2001, 2004 and 2007. In the latest WSCLAS, information was collected through interviews conducted over a two-week period during April 2007.

 

The survey’s scope encompasses all persons aged 15 years and over who were usual residents of private dwellings, except members of the Australian permanent defence forces, certain diplomatic personnel of overseas governments, overseas residents in Australia and members of non-Australian defence forces (and their dependants) stationed in Australia.

 

When making comparisons between WSCLAS of different years, it is important to be aware of changes in methodology and questionnaires. In 1997, information was obtained from two persons aged 15 years and over in each household. In 2001, 2004 and 2007, information was obtained from a responsible adult who answered on behalf of one randomly selected person aged 15 and over in each household. Respondents were asked if they had been involved in work related to any culture or leisure activities in the previous 12 months, with the interviewer reading out the selected activities over the phone as prompts.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has been using the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) for the identification of country units since it was first published in 1998. The 2011 edition is Revision 1 of the Second Edition which was released in 2008.

 

Prior to the 2011 Census, country groupings and statistics in the Employment section of Screen Australia’s website were generated from key data sets acquired from the ABS. 2011 and 2016 Census data used to calculate statistics for country of birth by industry was generated from the ABS’s Employment, Income and Unpaid Work Classifications>Birthplace>Country of Birth of Person database using the ABS’s TableBuilder service. This data was further manipulated by Screen Australia to replicate Screen Australia’s previous country groupings to maintain the time-line series.

 

ABS 2011 Level 1 groupings:

1. Oceania and Antarctica
2. North-West Europe
3. Southern and Eastern Europe
4. North Africa and the Middle East
5. South-East Asia
6. North-East Asia
7. Southern and Central Asia
8. Americas
9. Sub-Saharan Africa
10. Supplementary Codes (comprising inadequately described, not stated, at sea and overseas visitor).

 

Screen Australia country groupings:

1. Africa
2. Americas
3. Asia
4. Australia
– Indigenous*
– Others
5. Middle East
6. Oceania (except Australia)
7. United Kingdom & Ireland
8. Other Europe & former USSR
9. Unknown.

 

For a comprehensive list of categories see:
2901.0 – Census Dictionary, 2011: Country of Birth of Person

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has been using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industry Classification (ANZSIC) for standard industry definitions since 1993 for Service Industry Surveys (SIS) and 1996 for the Census of Population and Housing. A revised edition of the ANZSIC (cat. no. 1292.0) with expanded industry categories was introduced in 2006.

 

Prior to 1993, the Australian Standard Industry Classification (ASIC) was used. With the new classification system, while some terminology was amended and expanded in accordance with changes in the audiovisual industries, definitions generally remained very similar to the previous system. The various definitions are provided below under the term used by Screen Australia: Research: Statistics.

A searchable database of all industry categories is available on the ABS website.

 

Film and video production and post-production services

 

ANZSIC: 2006 Census and 2006/07 Television, Film and Video Production and Post-production Services SIS
Motion picture and video production (5511): Consists of units mainly engaged in producing motion pictures, videos and television programs or commercials. These productions are recorded and stored on a variety of analogue or digital visual media such as film, video tape or DVD.

 

Post-production services and other motion picture and video activities (5514): Consists of units mainly engaged in providing post-production services and other motion picture and video activities, including specialised motion picture or video post-production services such as editing, film/tape transfers, titling, subtitling, credits, closed captioning and computer-produced graphics, animation and special effects, as well as developing and processing motion picture film.

 

ANZSIC: 1996–2001 Censuses; 1993/94, 1996/97 and 1999/00 Film and Video Production and Distribution SIS; and 2002/03 Television, Film and Video Production SIS.
Film and video production (9111): Consists of businesses mainly engaged in the production of motion pictures on film or video for cinema or television projection. Also includes businesses mainly providing production services such as casting and film editing.

 

ASIC: 1971–1991 Censuses
Motion picture production (9131): Consists of establishments mainly engaged in the production of motion picture film or tape for cinema or television projection.

 

Film and video distribution

 

ANZSIC: 2006 Census
Motion picture and video distribution (5512): Consists of units mainly engaged in acquiring distribution rights and distributing motion pictures and videos (through leasing and wholesale channels) to a range of exhibitors such as motion picture theatres and television stations using a variety of visual media.

 

ANZSIC: 1996–2001 Censuses and 1993/94, 1996/97 and 1999/00 Film and Video Production and Distribution SIS
Film and video distribution (9112): Consists of businesses mainly engaged in leasing or wholesaling motion pictures on film or video tape to organisations for exhibition or sale. Subscription television channel providers are included.

 

ASIC: 1971–1991 Censuses
Motion picture film hiring (9132): Consists of establishments mainly engaged in hiring motion picture films to businesses, government organisations, charitable or other non-profit organisations or private individuals.

 

Film Exhibition

 

ANZSIC: 2006 Census
Motion picture exhibition (5513): Consists of units mainly engaged in screening motion pictures using a variety of visual media. Includes units screening productions at festivals and other similar events.

 

ANZSIC: 1996–2001 Censuses and 1993/94, 1996/97 and 1999/00 Motion Picture Exhibition SIS
Motion picture exhibition (9113): Consists of businesses mainly engaged in screening motion pictures on film or video tape. Does not include businesses or social clubs owning theatrettes who receive a minor portion of their income from screening movies, or cinema/drive-in operators who receive most of their income from sources other than box office receipts, such as sale of takeaway food.

 

ANZSIC: 1996–2001 Censuses and 1999/00 Video Hire Industry SIS
Video hire (9112): Consists of businesses mainly engaged in hiring pre-recorded video cassettes for personal use. Does not include businesses that receive only a minor part of their income from hiring videos, such as service stations, chemists and newsagents.

 

Undefined

 

ANZSIC: 2006 Census

Motion picture and video activities, nfd (5510)
Television broadcasting, nfd (5620)

ASIC: 1971–1991 Censuses
Television stations (9135): Consists of establishments mainly engaged in television broadcasting to the general public.

 

Video hire

 

ANZSIC: 2006 Census
Video and other electronic media rental and hiring (6632): Consists of units mainly engaged in renting or hiring pre-recorded video tapes, discs and other electronic media.

 

ANZSIC: 1996–2001 Censuses and 1999/00 Video Hire Industry SIS
Video hire (9112): Consists of businesses mainly engaged in hiring pre-recorded video cassettes for personal use. Does not include businesses that receive only a minor part of their income from hiring videos, such as service stations, chemists and newsagents.

 

Undefined

 

ANZSIC: 2006 Census

Motion picture and video activities, nfd (5510)
Television broadcasting, nfd (5620)

ASIC: 1971–1991 Censuses and 1979/80 and 1986/87 Motion Picture Exhibition SIS
Motion picture theatres (9133): Consists of establishments mainly engaged in screening motion picture films.

 

Television broadcasting

 

ANZSIC: 2006 Census and 2006/07 Television, Film and Video Production and Post-Production Services SIS
Free-to-air television broadcasting (5621): Consists of units mainly engaged in free-to-air television broadcasting of visual content, in the form of electronic images together with sound, through broadcasting studios and facilities. These units may also produce or transmit visual programming to affiliated broadcast television stations, which in turn broadcast the programs on a pre-determined schedule. Transmissions are made available without cost to the viewer.

 

Cable and other subscription broadcasting (5622): Consists of units mainly engaged in broadcasting television programs on a subscription or fee basis (such as subscription cable or satellite television broadcasting) to viewers.

 

ANZSIC: 1996–2001 Censuses; 1993/94, 1996/97 and 1999/00 Radio and Television Services SIS; and 2002/03 Television, Film and Video Production SIS.
Television services (9122): Consists of businesses mainly engaged in television broadcasting. Includes subscription television operators and free-to-air television, both public and commercial.

 

ASIC: 1971–1991 Censuses
Television stations (9135): Consists of establishments mainly engaged in television broadcasting to the general public.

 

Video hire

 

ANZSIC: 2006 Census
Video and other electronic media rental and hiring (6632): Consists of units mainly engaged in renting or hiring pre-recorded video tapes, discs and other electronic media.

 

ANZSIC: 1996–2001 Censuses and 1999/00 Video Hire Industry SIS
Video hire (9112): Consists of businesses mainly engaged in hiring pre-recorded video cassettes for personal use. Does not include businesses that receive only a minor part of their income from hiring videos, such as service stations, chemists and newsagents.

 

Undefined

 

ANZSIC: 2006 Census

Motion picture and video activities, nfd (5510)
Television broadcasting, nfd (5620)

The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZCO) (cat. no. 1220.0) has been used to classify occupations from 2006 for the Census of Population and Housing. This replaced the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO), which had been used since 1996. These classification changes have complicated the comparison of occupations over survey periods.

 

The coding algorithms used for ASCO and ANZSCO are quite different. If an employee has dual titles that cannot be coded to a single occupation, this is resolved by ANZSCO by assigning them to a ‘not further defined’ occupation, whereas ASCO codes them to the higher occupation in the hierarchy. For example, a shop assistant may work as a cashier and also stack shelves. A cashier is higher in the occupation hierarchy than someone stacking shelves. In ASCO, this would be resolved by assigning the person to the occupation highest in the hierarchy, i.e. a cashier. However in ANZSCO, the person may be assigned to a more general shop assistant code, e.g. shop assistant nfd, because they do more than one job.

 

A searchable database of occupation definitions is available on the ABS website.