VET News

Service Industries are Projected to Drive Five Year Employment Growth

The National Skills Commission projects that four industries are projected to generate over three-fifths (or 64.4%) of total employment growth over the five years to November 2025. 

These include:

1. Health Care and Social Assistance (increasing by 249,500 jobs)

The Health Care and Social Assistance industry is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth (projected to grow by 14.2%) to November 2025, continuing the long-term trend as the primary provider of new jobs in the Australian labour market. Health Care and Social Assistance has been relatively resilient to the impacts of COVID-19 and have the largest proportion of workers in resilient occupations.

 2. Accommodation and Food Services (139,900 jobs)

Accommodation and Food Services industry employment is projected to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and surpass pre-COVID-19 levels (projected to increase by 16.8%), driven by the Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services and Accommodation sectors which are projected to grow by 114,100 and 23,800 jobs respectively.

3.  Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (131,100 jobs)

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is also projected to increase (up by 11.0%), reflecting ongoing strength in demand for the services of qualified and highly skilled workers throughout the economy. Sectors significantly contributing to this growth include Computer System Design and Related Services, Legal and Accounting Services, and Architectural, Engineering and Technical Services.

4.  Education and Training (118,600 jobs)

Education and Training is also projected to increase (up by 10.8%), supported by a larger school aged population and growing demand for adult and community education.

Declines in employment are projected for Manufacturing (down by 5,900 jobs) and Information Media and Telecommunications (down by 7,500 jobs).

Interestingly, over the year, recruitment activity has increased in all states and territories and all skill level groups by a total of 24.8% or 38,100 job advertisements to February 2021.  

The detailed Internet Vacancy Report for February 2021 shows internet vacancy growth across the country for the 10th consecutive month with the strongest growth in internet advertisement for occupational groups being Labourers, followed by Machinery Operations and Drivers.  Overall Hospitality workers recorded the largest increase followed by ICT Professionals. 

• 2020 Employment Projects - for the five years to November 2025
• February 2021 Vacancy Report

Date posted Apr 1, 2021