Health Care and Social Assistance
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Health care and Social Assistance is the largest employing industry. Around 15.3% of workers have their main job in this industry.
This industry covers services like:
- hospitals
- general and specialist medical services
- pathology and diagnostic imaging services
- dental and allied health care
- ambulance services
- child care
- aged and residential care.
Most workers are formally qualified, 45% have a university qualification and 31% have a VET qualification.
More than half of those with their main job in this industry are employed full-time.
Average earnings are $1,150 per week, lower the all industries average of $1,250.
Employment
Employment in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry grew over the 20 years to February 2023.
The number of workers:
- grew by 43,600 (or 2.1%) over the last quarter
- grew by 97,300 (or 4.8%) over the last year.
Quarterly employment, Health Care and Social Assistance industry
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2023, seasonally adjusted.
Outlook
Employment in Health Care and Social Assistance is projected to grow by 301,000 (or 15.8%) over the five years to November 2026.
Employment levels, past and projected, Health Care and Social Assistance
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
Hospitals is the largest sector in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, employing 27.9% of workers.
Employment by sector, Health Care and Social Assistance industry
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2023, seasonally adjusted.
Occupations
Largest employing occupations
Registered Nurses is the largest employing occupation in the Health Care and Social Assistance 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, Health Care and Social Assistance industry
ANZSCO Code | Occupation title |
Employment |
Employment (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
2544 | Registered Nurses | 296,800 | 287,100 | 97% |
4231 | Aged and Disabled Carers | 243,700 | 234,600 | 96% |
5421 | Receptionists | 174,500 | 103,000 | 59% |
4233 | Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers | 94,400 | 91,000 | 96% |
4211 | Child Carers | 132,100 | 86,900 | 66% |
2531 | General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers | 65,200 | 64,100 | 98% |
4117 | Welfare Support Workers | 79,900 | 51,700 | 65% |
5311 | General Clerks | 288,700 | 35,600 | 12% |
2525 | Physiotherapists | 33,200 | 32,200 | 97% |
4232 | Dental Assistants | 29,300 | 28,900 | 99% |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, four quarter average, 2021.
Related occupations
The Health care and Social Assistance 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 Health Care and Social Assistance industry, by skill level
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
253111 | General Practitioner | 42,213 | 40,693 | 96% |
254412 | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 38,655 | 37,383 | 97% |
254415 | Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) | 32,780 | 31,772 | 97% |
254499 | Registered Nurses nec | 24,269 | 22,077 | 91% |
2525 | Physiotherapist | 20,665 | 19,663 | 95% |
254423 | Registered Nurse (Perioperative) | 19,071 | 18,595 | 98% |
2541 | Midwife | 18,221 | 17,446 | 96% |
254418 | Registered Nurse (Medical) | 17,332 | 16,656 | 96% |
2725 | Social Worker | 21,684 | 15,424 | 71% |
2543 | Nurse Manager | 15,991 | 15,013 | 94% |
254424 | Registered Nurse (Surgical) | 15,082 | 14,690 | 97% |
254422 | Registered Nurse (Mental Health) | 13,994 | 12,971 | 93% |
134299 | Health and Welfare Services Managers nec | 15,765 | 12,328 | 78% |
252312 | Dentist | 11,862 | 11,516 | 97% |
253112 | Resident Medical Officer | 11,468 | 11,277 | 98% |
272613 | Welfare Worker | 19,761 | 11,227 | 57% |
272311 | Clinical Psychologist | 13,354 | 11,222 | 84% |
2524 | Occupational Therapist | 12,281 | 10,645 | 87% |
2346 | Medical Laboratory Scientist | 16,142 | 9,866 | 61% |
254414 | Registered Nurse (Community Health) | 11,000 | 8,847 | 80% |
254421 | Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) | 8,856 | 8,631 | 97% |
251211 | Medical Diagnostic Radiographer | 8,218 | 8,009 | 97% |
1341 | Child Care Centre Manager | 11,119 | 7,405 | 67% |
2411 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher | 26,986 | 6,927 | 26% |
252712 | Speech Pathologist | 7,210 | 5,463 | 76% |
254425 | Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) | 5,250 | 5,091 | 97% |
251214 | Sonographer | 4,747 | 4,648 | 98% |
111211 | Corporate General Manager | 47,951 | 4,248 | 9% |
2532 | Anaesthetist | 4,275 | 4,236 | 99% |
1111 | Chief Executive or Managing Director | 52,650 | 4,134 | 8% |
251411 | Optometrist | 4,175 | 4,042 | 97% |
254413 | Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) | 5,359 | 4,014 | 75% |
254417 | Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) | 4,291 | 3,994 | 93% |
1323 | Human Resource Manager | 43,993 | 3,880 | 9% |
252111 | Chiropractor | 3,694 | 3,662 | 99% |
2526 | Podiatrist | 3,674 | 3,561 | 97% |
251111 | Dietitian | 4,003 | 3,467 | 87% |
254211 | Nurse Educator | 4,302 | 3,172 | 74% |
251511 | Hospital Pharmacist | 3,660 | 3,081 | 84% |
251911 | Health Promotion Officer | 4,595 | 3,000 | 65% |
2534 | Psychiatrist | 3,074 | 2,931 | 95% |
1322 | Finance Manager | 45,349 | 2,743 | 6% |
253912 | Emergency Medicine Specialist | 2,707 | 2,663 | 98% |
223111 | Human Resource Adviser | 24,183 | 2,596 | 11% |
134211 | Medical Administrator | 2,760 | 2,271 | 82% |
253917 | Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist | 2,122 | 2,095 | 99% |
252213 | Naturopath | 2,687 | 2,067 | 77% |
253915 | Pathologist | 2,097 | 2,022 | 96% |
272314 | Psychotherapist | 2,238 | 1,995 | 89% |
134212 | Nursing Clinical Director | 2,139 | 1,963 | 92% |
234915 | Exercise Physiologist | 2,511 | 1,812 | 72% |
251212 | Medical Radiation Therapist | 1,870 | 1,808 | 97% |
411214 | Dental Therapist | 1,833 | 1,750 | 95% |
252711 | Audiologist | 1,853 | 1,694 | 91% |
253321 | Paediatrician | 1,729 | 1,686 | 98% |
254411 | Nurse Practitioner | 1,699 | 1,584 | 93% |
2233 | Training and Development Professional | 17,799 | 1,582 | 9% |
252112 | Osteopath | 1,506 | 1,492 | 99% |
251312 | Occupational Health and Safety Adviser | 15,640 | 1,459 | 9% |
2722 | Minister of Religion | 16,566 | 1,435 | 9% |
272112 | Drug and Alcohol Counsellor | 1,619 | 1,415 | 87% |
251513 | Retail Pharmacist | 18,656 | 1,354 | 7% |
253913 | Obstetrician and Gynaecologist | 1,356 | 1,340 | 99% |
252211 | Acupuncturist | 1,340 | 1,312 | 98% |
139914 | Quality Assurance Manager | 13,525 | 1,280 | 9% |
411211 | Dental Hygienist | 1,302 | 1,270 | 98% |
272113 | Family and Marriage Counsellor | 1,389 | 1,225 | 88% |
224213 | Health Information Manager | 1,542 | 1,222 | 79% |
2253 | Public Relations Professional | 14,991 | 1,204 | 8% |
223112 | Recruitment Consultant | 26,234 | 1,185 | 5% |
225412 | Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products) | 8,343 | 1,152 | 14% |
252311 | Dental Specialist | 1,145 | 1,109 | 97% |
253399 | Specialist Physicians nec | 1,199 | 1,086 | 91% |
253514 | Orthopaedic Surgeon | 1,109 | 1,086 | 98% |
272199 | Counsellors nec | 3,914 | 1,066 | 27% |
2422 | Vocational Education Teacher | 30,536 | 1,010 | 3% |
272114 | Rehabilitation Counsellor | 1,585 | 978 | 62% |
252214 | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner | 982 | 952 | 97% |
411112 | Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic | 944 | 923 | 98% |
253999 | Medical Practitioners nec | 1,031 | 913 | 89% |
253914 | Ophthalmologist | 852 | 828 | 97% |
251412 | Orthoptist | 827 | 795 | 96% |
262113 | Systems Administrator | 12,654 | 792 | 6% |
253312 | Cardiologist | 804 | 786 | 98% |
252299 | Complementary Health Therapists nec | 898 | 759 | 85% |
254212 | Nurse Researcher | 1,053 | 749 | 71% |
272412 | Interpreter | 3,895 | 746 | 19% |
224912 | Liaison Officer | 4,165 | 724 | 17% |
251311 | Environmental Health Officer | 3,493 | 724 | 21% |
224712 | Organisation and Methods Analyst | 6,889 | 703 | 10% |
1325 | Research and Development Manager | 10,607 | 698 | 7% |
251213 | Nuclear Medicine Technologist | 705 | 690 | 98% |
253314 | Medical Oncologist | 693 | 660 | 95% |
272399 | Psychologists nec | 1,227 | 654 | 53% |
253317 | Intensive Care Specialist | 646 | 639 | 99% |
253311 | Specialist Physician (General Medicine) | 657 | 637 | 97% |
1321 | Corporate Services Manager | 6,982 | 618 | 9% |
134214 | Welfare Centre Manager | 1,013 | 614 | 61% |
272612 | Recreation Officer | 1,821 | 553 | 30% |
234999 | Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec | 1,030 | 542 | 53% |
224412 | Policy Analyst | 13,213 | 492 | 4% |
262111 | Database Administrator | 6,117 | 489 | 8% |
253511 | Surgeon (General) | 496 | 486 | 98% |
253911 | Dermatologist | 469 | 463 | 99% |
139913 | Laboratory Manager | 2,385 | 459 | 19% |
131114 | Public Relations Manager | 6,214 | 441 | 7% |
241511 | Special Needs Teacher | 17,977 | 435 | 2% |
251112 | Nutritionist | 794 | 419 | 53% |
234914 | Physicist | 1,292 | 375 | 29% |
253318 | Neurologist | 371 | 357 | 96% |
253316 | Gastroenterologist | 360 | 356 | 99% |
233913 | Biomedical Engineer | 838 | 352 | 42% |
253517 | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon | 347 | 347 | 100% |
251999 | Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals nec | 390 | 317 | 81% |
251912 | Orthotist or Prosthetist | 388 | 307 | 79% |
253518 | Urologist | 295 | 292 | 99% |
272312 | Educational Psychologist | 3,142 | 272 | 9% |
253515 | Otorhinolaryngologist | 268 | 268 | 100% |
224113 | Statistician | 3,226 | 253 | 8% |
253918 | Radiation Oncologist | 250 | 243 | 97% |
234599 | Life Scientists nec | 962 | 224 | 23% |
253513 | Neurosurgeon | 221 | 217 | 98% |
253315 | Endocrinologist | 209 | 206 | 99% |
134213 | Primary Health Organisation Manager | 234 | 192 | 82% |
253324 | Thoracic Medicine Specialist | 193 | 184 | 95% |
272115 | Student Counsellor | 2,712 | 165 | 6% |
253322 | Renal Medicine Specialist | 171 | 164 | 96% |
252212 | Homoeopath | 166 | 152 | 92% |
2232 | ICT Trainer | 1,802 | 146 | 8% |
253323 | Rheumatologist | 145 | 145 | 100% |
272313 | Organisational Psychologist | 441 | 139 | 32% |
253313 | Clinical Haematologist | 124 | 121 | 98% |
253512 | Cardiothoracic Surgeon | 121 | 121 | 100% |
253521 | Vascular Surgeon | 120 | 120 | 100% |
234517 | Microbiologist | 703 | 112 | 16% |
249211 | Art Teacher (Private Tuition) | 1,495 | 108 | 7% |
253516 | Paediatric Surgeon | 107 | 107 | 100% |
234514 | Biotechnologist | 573 | 77 | 13% |
272413 | Translator | 1,459 | 67 | 5% |
254416 | Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) | 67 | 47 | 70% |
272611 | Community Arts Worker | 475 | 40 | 8% |
234513 | Biochemist | 133 | 31 | 23% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
411411 | Enrolled Nurse | 33,798 | 31,801 | 94% |
512211 | Health Practice Manager | 17,428 | 16,652 | 96% |
411711 | Community Worker | 24,077 | 15,086 | 63% |
4116 | Massage Therapist | 14,653 | 13,213 | 90% |
411111 | Ambulance Officer | 12,687 | 12,241 | 96% |
5121 | Office Manager | 109,391 | 8,817 | 8% |
511112 | Program or Project Administrator | 85,106 | 8,432 | 10% |
411716 | Youth Worker | 12,073 | 6,643 | 55% |
5211 | Personal Assistant | 50,760 | 6,244 | 12% |
311213 | Medical Laboratory Technician | 6,173 | 5,403 | 88% |
3513 | Chef | 77,825 | 4,053 | 5% |
411712 | Disabilities Services Officer | 6,421 | 3,729 | 58% |
521211 | Secretary (General) | 32,035 | 2,980 | 9% |
411713 | Family Support Worker | 3,378 | 2,367 | 70% |
313112 | ICT Customer Support Officer | 36,021 | 2,027 | 6% |
311299 | Medical Technicians nec | 2,317 | 1,863 | 80% |
149913 | Facilities Manager | 16,717 | 1,723 | 10% |
311215 | Pharmacy Technician | 5,519 | 1,252 | 23% |
4115 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker | 1,324 | 1,133 | 86% |
411715 | Residential Care Officer | 1,548 | 985 | 64% |
141912 | Retirement Village Manager | 966 | 824 | 85% |
411213 | Dental Technician | 2,694 | 818 | 30% |
512299 | Practice Managers nec | 3,490 | 758 | 22% |
411212 | Dental Prosthetist | 821 | 656 | 80% |
311212 | Cardiac Technician | 681 | 621 | 91% |
311211 | Anaesthetic Technician | 603 | 585 | 97% |
312999 | Building and Engineering Technicians nec | 4,128 | 456 | 11% |
311413 | Life Science Technician | 2,300 | 281 | 12% |
4314 | Hotel Service Manager | 7,195 | 259 | 4% |
411412 | Mothercraft Nurse | 182 | 143 | 79% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
421111 | Child Care Worker | 95,429 | 63,707 | 67% |
311216 | Pathology Collector | 8,949 | 8,796 | 98% |
3514 | Cook | 39,890 | 6,566 | 16% |
421114 | Out of School Hours Care Worker | 8,513 | 5,279 | 62% |
399913 | Optical Dispenser | 4,786 | 4,506 | 94% |
4113 | Diversional Therapist | 4,482 | 4,219 | 94% |
362211 | Gardener (General) | 28,313 | 1,733 | 6% |
599915 | Clinical Coder | 1,295 | 1,215 | 94% |
311214 | Operating Theatre Technician | 1,118 | 1,081 | 97% |
423411 | Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant | 865 | 684 | 79% |
4511 | Beauty Therapist | 24,558 | 578 | 2% |
451815 | First Aid Trainer | 854 | 238 | 28% |
399914 | Optical Mechanic | 447 | 228 | 51% |
323314 | Precision Instrument Maker and Repairer | 1,702 | 207 | 12% |
423413 | Refuge Worker | 266 | 199 | 75% |
441211 | Emergency Service Worker | 1,129 | 120 | 11% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
4231 | Aged or Disabled Carer | 129,712 | 114,255 | 88% |
542114 | Medical Receptionist | 46,166 | 44,743 | 97% |
423312 | Nursing Support Worker | 35,745 | 34,180 | 96% |
423313 | Personal Care Assistant | 28,650 | 27,231 | 95% |
5311 | General Clerk | 208,596 | 25,181 | 12% |
542111 | Receptionist (General) | 89,790 | 24,001 | 27% |
4232 | Dental Assistant | 21,710 | 21,028 | 97% |
421112 | Family Day Care Worker | 13,822 | 13,245 | 96% |
423311 | Hospital Orderly | 12,330 | 11,429 | 93% |
542112 | Admissions Clerk | 6,873 | 6,611 | 96% |
423314 | Therapy Aide | 5,326 | 5,001 | 94% |
532111 | Data Entry Operator | 37,405 | 4,703 | 13% |
711914 | Sterilisation Technician | 4,044 | 3,805 | 94% |
451511 | Natural Remedy Consultant | 4,055 | 3,613 | 89% |
5513 | Payroll Clerk | 24,596 | 3,161 | 13% |
532113 | Word Processing Operator | 6,071 | 2,866 | 47% |
5994 | Human Resources Clerk | 10,349 | 2,295 | 22% |
421113 | Nanny | 7,176 | 1,740 | 24% |
442217 | Security Officer | 38,478 | 1,629 | 4% |
451899 | Personal Service Workers nec | 4,795 | 1,502 | 31% |
599914 | Radio Despatcher | 3,797 | 825 | 22% |
731211 | Bus Driver | 32,468 | 766 | 2% |
6214 | Pharmacy Sales Assistant | 32,939 | 557 | 2% |
451816 | Religious Assistant | 2,067 | 473 | 23% |
422115 | Preschool Aide | 3,745 | 403 | 11% |
599916 | Facilities Administrator | 2,837 | 306 | 11% |
599515 | Social Security Assessor | 8,053 | 236 | 3% |
7114 | Photographic Developer and Printer | 1,133 | 208 | 18% |
451513 | Herbalist (Western) | 131 | 110 | 84% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
8513 | Kitchenhand | 106,327 | 20,964 | 20% |
8112 | Commercial Cleaner | 122,644 | 16,423 | 13% |
811511 | Laundry Worker (General) | 10,026 | 2,849 | 28% |
8993 | Handyperson | 29,283 | 2,716 | 9% |
5613 | Filing or Registry Clerk | 11,899 | 2,542 | 21% |
561211 | Courier | 21,981 | 2,332 | 11% |
811411 | Commercial Housekeeper | 25,413 | 2,305 | 9% |
8113 | Domestic Cleaner | 34,823 | 2,274 | 7% |
5616 | Switchboard Operator | 3,117 | 920 | 30% |
839999 | Factory Process Workers nec | 2,249 | 740 | 33% |
621712 | Door-to-door Salesperson | 3,921 | 574 | 15% |
811412 | Domestic Housekeeper | 5,460 | 567 | 10% |
839918 | Recycling Worker | 1,800 | 220 | 12% |
621911 | Materials Recycler | 2,157 | 132 | 6% |
851299 | Food Trades Assistants nec | 935 | 105 | 11% |
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.
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
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