Wholesale Trade
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Wholesale Trade is a small employing industry. Around 2.6% of workers have their main job in this industry.
Wholesalers don't usually have a shop front to sell their items; they are the middle step between manufactures and retailers or businesses.
Many workers do not have a post-school qualification, due to the high proportion of lowers skilled occupations.
Most people with their main job in this industry work full-time.
Average earnings are $1,300 per week, higher the all industries average of $1,250.
Employment
Employment in the Wholesale Trade industry fell over the 20 years to February 2023.
The number of workers:
- grew by 8,200 (or 2.4%) over the last quarter
- grew by 25,700 (or 7.8%) over the last year.
Quarterly employment update, Wholesale Trade industry
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2023, seasonally adjusted.
Outlook
Employment in Wholesale Trade is projected to grow by 6,600 (or 1.8%) over the five years to November 2026.
Employment levels, past and projected, Wholesale Trade
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, November 2021, seasonally adjusted and Jobs and Skills Australia, 2021 Employment projections for the five years to 2026.
Sectors
Other Machinery and Equipment Wholesaling is the largest sector in the Wholesale Trade industry, employing 19.9% of workers.
Employment by sector, Wholesale Trade industry
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2023, seasonally adjusted.
Occupations
Largest employing occupations
Storepersons is the largest employing occupation in the Wholesale Trade industry.
The 10 largest employing occupations are shown below. The table shows:
- the number employed in all industries
- the number employed in this industry
- the proportion employed in this industry.
Some occupations are common across a number of industries.
Largest employing occupations, Wholesale Trade industry
ANZSCO Code | Occupation title |
Employment |
Employment (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
7411 | Storepersons | 155,000 | 30,800 | 20% |
6113 | Sales Representatives | 80,000 | 20,000 | 25% |
5911 | Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks | 91,700 | 19,900 | 22% |
1333 | Importers, Exporters and Wholesalers | 25,700 | 18,300 | 71% |
1311 | Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Manager | 163,800 | 17,600 | 11% |
6211 | Sales Assistants (General) | 543,500 | 17,400 | 3% |
2254 | Technical Sales Representatives | 29,900 | 13,200 | 44% |
1421 | Retail Managers | 249,100 | 12,400 | 5% |
5311 | General Clerks | 288,700 | 9,600 | 3% |
7331 | Truck Drivers | 170,300 | 9,400 | 6% |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, four quarter average, 2021.
Related occupations
The Wholesale Trade industry employs workers in a range of occupations.
The table below shows related occupations by ANZSCO Skill Level (Skill Level 1 is the highest skill level). This includes occupations that:
- contribute a large share of industry employment (account for at least 3% of industry employment)
- have a large share of workers in this industry (at least 5% of workers in an occupation).
These thresholds were used as a guide only and a number refinements were made to the list of occupations included.
The table shows the total number of people employed in each occupation as well as the number and proportion employed in this industry at the time of the 2016 ABS Census.
- In most cases, 6-digit ANZSCO occupations are shown. This is the most detailed level of ANZSCO.
- 4-digit occupations are shown where the ANZSCO classification system only has one valid 6-digit occupation.
- The 4-digit employment figures will differ from the figures shown in the Largest employment occupations table above because the figures have come from different data sources.
Expand or collapse each Skill Level button to view related occupations.
Occupations related to Wholesale Trade industry, by skill level
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
131112 | Sales and Marketing Manager | 93,896 | 13,891 | 15% |
133312 | Wholesaler | 10,948 | 8,486 | 78% |
225411 | Sales Representative (Industrial Products) | 15,739 | 6,390 | 41% |
221111 | Accountant (General) | 126,046 | 4,869 | 4% |
225412 | Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products) | 8,343 | 4,548 | 55% |
225113 | Marketing Specialist | 47,537 | 4,487 | 9% |
1111 | Chief Executive or Managing Director | 52,650 | 3,116 | 6% |
1322 | Finance Manager | 45,349 | 3,036 | 7% |
111211 | Corporate General Manager | 47,951 | 3,017 | 6% |
133611 | Supply and Distribution Manager | 23,217 | 2,626 | 11% |
133311 | Importer or Exporter | 3,585 | 2,599 | 72% |
133512 | Production Manager (Manufacturing) | 30,108 | 1,690 | 6% |
139914 | Quality Assurance Manager | 13,525 | 981 | 7% |
225213 | ICT Sales Representative | 6,922 | 936 | 14% |
133612 | Procurement Manager | 7,028 | 915 | 13% |
225499 | Technical Sales Representatives nec | 2,174 | 754 | 35% |
263111 | Computer Network and Systems Engineer | 12,691 | 657 | 5% |
225211 | ICT Account Manager | 4,058 | 609 | 15% |
263212 | ICT Support Engineer | 6,405 | 496 | 8% |
2334 | Electronics Engineer | 4,147 | 367 | 9% |
232311 | Fashion Designer | 2,981 | 363 | 12% |
263312 | Telecommunications Network Engineer | 6,000 | 354 | 6% |
225212 | ICT Business Development Manager | 2,814 | 345 | 12% |
234112 | Agricultural Scientist | 2,653 | 328 | 12% |
263311 | Telecommunications Engineer | 2,633 | 286 | 11% |
121299 | Crop Farmers nec | 1,872 | 274 | 15% |
221112 | Management Accountant | 5,039 | 259 | 5% |
232312 | Industrial Designer | 3,078 | 244 | 8% |
233511 | Industrial Engineer | 3,640 | 203 | 6% |
233513 | Production or Plant Engineer | 3,077 | 200 | 6% |
233913 | Biomedical Engineer | 838 | 113 | 13% |
263113 | Network Analyst | 1,633 | 100 | 6% |
234212 | Food Technologist | 1,140 | 61 | 5% |
251512 | Industrial Pharmacist | 787 | 53 | 7% |
121212 | Flower Grower | 981 | 50 | 5% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
142111 | Retail Manager (General) | 164,975 | 5,852 | 4% |
149212 | Customer Service Manager | 32,559 | 2,594 | 8% |
222111 | Commodities Trader | 2,105 | 581 | 28% |
312512 | Mechanical Engineering Technician | 974 | 89 | 9% |
311312 | Meat Inspector | 517 | 49 | 9% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
323211 | Fitter (General) | 58,558 | 4,175 | 7% |
321211 | Motor Mechanic (General) | 69,123 | 2,581 | 4% |
611112 | Stock and Station Agent | 1,918 | 1,261 | 66% |
342311 | Business Machine Mechanic | 2,445 | 1,045 | 43% |
321212 | Diesel Motor Mechanic | 7,559 | 924 | 12% |
3512 | Butcher or Smallgoods Maker | 15,295 | 789 | 5% |
323299 | Metal Fitters and Machinists nec | 2,593 | 553 | 21% |
3624 | Nurseryperson | 2,629 | 432 | 16% |
639211 | Retail Buyer | 3,970 | 395 | 10% |
611111 | Auctioneer | 585 | 355 | 61% |
323314 | Precision Instrument Maker and Repairer | 1,702 | 274 | 16% |
612111 | Business Broker | 618 | 272 | 44% |
3331 | Glazier | 7,984 | 219 | 3% |
351112 | Pastrycook | 6,388 | 170 | 3% |
639212 | Wool Buyer | 196 | 167 | 85% |
323412 | Toolmaker | 2,291 | 95 | 4% |
394213 | Wood Machinist | 1,006 | 84 | 8% |
399917 | Wool Classer | 478 | 61 | 13% |
393212 | Clothing Patternmaker | 390 | 39 | 10% |
399914 | Optical Mechanic | 447 | 32 | 7% |
393211 | Apparel Cutter | 330 | 20 | 6% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
7411 | Storeperson | 98,510 | 19,312 | 20% |
611314 | Sales Representative (Personal and Household Goods) | 26,403 | 8,057 | 31% |
551111 | Accounts Clerk | 88,499 | 7,796 | 9% |
733111 | Truck Driver (General) | 129,332 | 6,311 | 5% |
7213 | Forklift Driver | 44,420 | 6,067 | 14% |
7321 | Delivery Driver | 37,794 | 4,850 | 13% |
591116 | Warehouse Administrator | 15,084 | 3,623 | 24% |
621312 | Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter | 15,229 | 3,452 | 23% |
591117 | Order Clerk | 12,532 | 3,301 | 26% |
611399 | Sales Representatives nec | 16,826 | 2,803 | 17% |
611311 | Sales Representative (Building and Plumbing Supplies) | 9,110 | 2,474 | 27% |
591115 | Stock Clerk | 16,616 | 2,148 | 13% |
591211 | Despatching and Receiving Clerk | 21,614 | 1,921 | 9% |
591113 | Purchasing Officer | 13,877 | 1,886 | 14% |
611312 | Sales Representative (Business Services) | 16,923 | 1,338 | 8% |
621311 | Motor Vehicle or Caravan Salesperson | 16,736 | 1,168 | 7% |
611313 | Sales Representative (Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories) | 3,580 | 1,020 | 28% |
591212 | Import-Export Clerk | 4,892 | 698 | 14% |
6215 | Retail Supervisor | 27,163 | 686 | 3% |
831211 | Meat Boner and Slicer | 6,044 | 602 | 10% |
899415 | Tyre Fitter | 6,026 | 566 | 9% |
6399 | Other Sales Support Worker | 5,041 | 431 | 9% |
591112 | Production Clerk | 4,235 | 328 | 8% |
712912 | Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operator | 2,446 | 298 | 12% |
6395 | Visual Merchandiser | 4,421 | 274 | 6% |
7116 | Sewing Machinist | 6,486 | 251 | 4% |
839311 | Product Examiner | 3,611 | 245 | 7% |
733114 | Tanker Driver | 2,748 | 232 | 8% |
711314 | Other Wood Processing Machine Operator | 1,844 | 210 | 11% |
831212 | Slaughterer | 2,233 | 184 | 8% |
711911 | Chemical Production Machine Operator | 2,172 | 150 | 7% |
839312 | Product Grader | 1,591 | 150 | 9% |
711516 | Rubber Production Machine Operator | 1,326 | 135 | 10% |
839313 | Product Tester | 1,470 | 68 | 5% |
711113 | Glass Production Machine Operator | 1,041 | 67 | 6% |
733112 | Aircraft Refueller | 740 | 57 | 8% |
712914 | Concrete Batching Plant Operator | 656 | 41 | 6% |
711111 | Clay Products Machine Operator | 603 | 31 | 5% |
712913 | Cement Production Plant Operator | 294 | 29 | 10% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
6211 | Sales Assistant (General) | 512,086 | 19,109 | 4% |
639112 | Sales Demonstrator | 8,911 | 1,305 | 15% |
621999 | Sales Assistants and Salespersons nec | 4,118 | 1,209 | 29% |
621911 | Materials Recycler | 2,157 | 1,151 | 53% |
8322 | Product Assembler | 20,035 | 1,151 | 6% |
6212 | ICT Sales Assistant | 12,141 | 1,110 | 9% |
841412 | Horticultural Nursery Assistant | 4,996 | 996 | 20% |
832199 | Packers nec | 10,859 | 711 | 7% |
831311 | Meat Process Worker | 8,663 | 672 | 8% |
832114 | Meat Packer | 8,951 | 667 | 7% |
832113 | Fruit and Vegetable Packer | 5,956 | 578 | 10% |
831199 | Food and Drink Factory Workers nec | 7,519 | 515 | 7% |
891111 | Freight Handler (Rail or Road) | 6,374 | 455 | 7% |
6393 | Telemarketer | 6,404 | 388 | 6% |
839412 | Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker | 2,421 | 337 | 14% |
831313 | Seafood Process Worker | 1,621 | 332 | 20% |
839918 | Recycling Worker | 1,800 | 265 | 15% |
621711 | Cash Van Salesperson | 1,350 | 237 | 18% |
621712 | Door-to-door Salesperson | 3,921 | 218 | 6% |
832115 | Seafood Packer | 425 | 155 | 36% |
831115 | Fruit and Vegetable Factory Worker | 2,245 | 152 | 7% |
839912 | Chemical Plant Worker | 1,424 | 102 | 7% |
832112 | Container Filler | 2,333 | 96 | 4% |
831116 | Grain Mill Worker | 1,076 | 66 | 6% |
839914 | Fabric and Textile Factory Worker | 857 | 43 | 5% |
839916 | Glass Processing Worker | 627 | 38 | 6% |
832111 | Chocolate Packer | 429 | 23 | 5% |
839917 | Hide and Skin Processing Worker | 219 | 23 | 11% |
839212 | Rubber Factory Worker | 245 | 18 | 7% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Data Downloads
Industry profile data
This file contains data for all 19 industries to make comparing industry data easy. Information available includes:
- Industry snapshot data
- Industry employment (20-year time series)
- Industry employment projections
- Industry sector employment
- Top employing occupations by industry
Occupations related to each Industry, by Skill Level
This spreadsheet lists occupations that are related to each industry by ANZSCO Skill Level.
Occupation (ANZSCO) to industry (ANZSIC) correspondence
This file maps occupations to industries using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC).
Data are sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census.
The purposes of the correspondence are to:
- Identify occupations that contribute a large share of employment to each industry.
- Identify occupations that have a strong association with each industry, even if they do not contribute a large share of employment to the industry.
Useful links
Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC)
The ANZSIC provides a basis for the standardised collection, analysis and dissemination of economic data on an industry basis for Australia and New Zealand. The ANZSIC is a hierarchical industry classification with four levels, namely Divisions (the broadest level), Subdivisions, Groups and Classes (the finest level).
There are 19 Division level industries, most industry data on LMI are displayed at this level. Division level industries provide a broad overall picture of the economy and this level is most suitable for the publication of summary tables in official statistics.
The Subdivision, Group and Class levels provide increasingly detailed dissections of these categories for the compilation of more specific and detailed statistics. The sector data on LMI is at the Group level.
For more information on the ANZSIC visit the ABS website.
Industry links
- Accommodation and Food Services
- Administrative and Support Services
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
- Arts and Recreation Services
- Construction
- Education and Training
- Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
- Financial and Insurance Services
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Information Media and Telecommunications
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Other Services
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- Public Administration and Safety
- Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services
- Retail Trade
- Transport, Postal and Warehousing
- Wholesale Trade