Arts and Recreation Services
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Arts and Recreation Services is a small employing industry. Around 1.8% of workers have their main job in this industry.
This diverse industry includes:
- professional and recreational sports
- creative and performing arts
- Museums
- Zoos and botanical gardens
- amusement parks and recreation centres
- casinos and gambling activities.
More than half of the workers in this industry have a post-school qualification. Around 29% have a university qualification and 27% have a VET qualification. Some occupations, such as Sportspersons, do not require formal qualifications but need many years of training.
Around half of those with their main job in this industry work full-time hours.
Average earnings are $1,000 per week, lower the all industries average of $1,250.
Employment
Employment in the Arts and Recreation Services industry grew over the 20 years to February 2023.
The number of workers:
- fell by 8,400 (or 3.3%) over the last quarter
- grew by 17,000 (or 7.5%) over the last year.
Quarterly employment, Arts and Recreation Services
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, February 2023, seasonally adjusted.
Outlook
Employment in Arts and Recreation Services is projected to grow by 23,700 (or 10.1%) over the five years to November 2026.
Employment levels, past and projected, Arts and Recreation Services
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
Sports and Physical Recreation Activities is the largest sector in the Arts and Recreation Services industry, employing 44.7% of workers.
Employment by sector, Arts and Recreation Services
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, Detailed, F, seasonally adjusted.
Occupations
Largest employing occupations
Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials is the largest employing occupation in the Arts and Recreation Services 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, Retail Trade industry
ANZSCO Code | Occupation title |
Employment |
Employment (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
4523 | Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials | 48,200 | 18,900 | 39% |
4521 | Fitness Instructors | 38,700 | 11,500 | 30% |
2112 | Music Professionals | 13,900 | 9,900 | 71% |
1491 | Amusement, Fitness and Sports Centre Managers | 13,300 | 7,900 | 59% |
4524 | Sportspersons | 8,900 | 7,200 | 81% |
4313 | Gaming Workers | 8,200 | 7,000 | 85% |
2114 | Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals | 12,700 | 7,000 | 55% |
5421 | Receptionists | 174,500 | 6,300 | 4% |
3623 | Greenkeepers | 16,000 | 5,800 | 36% |
6211 | Sales Assistants (General) | 543,500 | 5,600 | 1% |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, four quarter average, 2021.
Related occupations
The Arts and Recreation Services 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 Arts and Recreation industry, by skill level
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
211213 | Musician (Instrumental) | 6,217 | 4,327 | 70% |
212211 | Author | 3,184 | 1,825 | 57% |
211411 | Painter (Visual Arts) | 2,009 | 1,709 | 85% |
111211 | Corporate General Manager | 47,951 | 1,575 | 3% |
139915 | Sports Administrator | 2,374 | 1,508 | 64% |
211113 | Entertainer or Variety Artist | 1,909 | 1,429 | 75% |
234314 | Park Ranger | 2,470 | 1,399 | 57% |
139911 | Arts Administrator or Manager | 1,548 | 861 | 56% |
211111 | Actor | 1,485 | 816 | 55% |
224212 | Gallery or Museum Curator | 1,088 | 742 | 68% |
211214 | Singer | 888 | 685 | 77% |
212112 | Media Producer (excluding Video) | 6,919 | 644 | 9% |
2253 | Public Relations Professional | 14,991 | 616 | 4% |
211112 | Dancer or Choreographer | 963 | 613 | 64% |
232412 | Illustrator | 1,940 | 557 | 29% |
211499 | Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals nec | 1,557 | 556 | 36% |
212113 | Radio Presenter | 1,808 | 485 | 27% |
211413 | Sculptor | 564 | 442 | 78% |
211199 | Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers nec | 1,111 | 417 | 38% |
212499 | Journalists and Other Writers nec | 1,897 | 342 | 18% |
272612 | Recreation Officer | 1,821 | 327 | 18% |
249212 | Dance Teacher (Private Tuition) | 6,627 | 303 | 5% |
212415 | Technical Writer | 2,773 | 280 | 10% |
211412 | Potter or Ceramic Artist | 461 | 278 | 60% |
234911 | Conservator | 434 | 265 | 61% |
131114 | Public Relations Manager | 6,214 | 253 | 4% |
212312 | Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage) | 2,031 | 249 | 12% |
212411 | Copywriter | 1,943 | 248 | 13% |
234311 | Conservation Officer | 4,103 | 246 | 6% |
225111 | Advertising Specialist | 5,643 | 238 | 4% |
234915 | Exercise Physiologist | 2,511 | 232 | 9% |
211211 | Composer | 290 | 201 | 69% |
212316 | Stage Manager | 345 | 192 | 56% |
249211 | Art Teacher (Private Tuition) | 1,495 | 186 | 12% |
232413 | Multimedia Designer | 2,652 | 172 | 6% |
212111 | Artistic Director | 272 | 153 | 56% |
212412 | Newspaper or Periodical Editor | 4,244 | 153 | 4% |
211212 | Music Director | 493 | 137 | 28% |
232311 | Fashion Designer | 2,981 | 111 | 4% |
212318 | Video Producer | 1,406 | 109 | 8% |
212399 | Film, Television, Radio and Stage Directors nec | 592 | 103 | 17% |
234518 | Zoologist | 653 | 98 | 15% |
272611 | Community Arts Worker | 475 | 86 | 18% |
272411 | Historian | 466 | 78 | 17% |
121316 | Horse Breeder | 1,152 | 76 | 7% |
212212 | Book or Script Editor | 1,254 | 64 | 5% |
272111 | Careers Counsellor | 2,065 | 63 | 3% |
234515 | Botanist | 617 | 60 | 10% |
212114 | Television Presenter | 425 | 56 | 13% |
261211 | Multimedia Specialist | 569 | 51 | 9% |
249213 | Drama Teacher (Private Tuition) | 360 | 40 | 11% |
224211 | Archivist | 934 | 31 | 3% |
234516 | Marine Biologist | 648 | 31 | 5% |
212311 | Art Director (Film, Television or Stage) | 170 | 21 | 12% |
211299 | Music Professionals nec | 47 | 18 | 38% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
149112 | Fitness Centre Manager | 4,153 | 3,075 | 74% |
149113 | Sports Centre Manager | 4,115 | 2,368 | 58% |
1493 | Conference and Event Organiser | 19,769 | 2,109 | 11% |
3513 | Chef | 77,825 | 1,774 | 2% |
149111 | Amusement Centre Manager | 1,851 | 790 | 43% |
1414 | Licensed Club Manager | 5,688 | 787 | 14% |
452321 | Sports Development Officer | 1,065 | 689 | 65% |
142113 | Betting Agency Manager | 686 | 475 | 69% |
4314 | Hotel Service Manager | 7,195 | 246 | 3% |
149912 | Cinema or Theatre Manager | 1,582 | 242 | 15% |
141999 | Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec | 3,896 | 235 | 6% |
399311 | Gallery or Museum Technician | 197 | 122 | 62% |
1412 | Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager | 3,249 | 114 | 4% |
311412 | Earth Science Technician | 1,532 | 3 | % |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
452322 | Sports Umpire | 5,073 | 4,646 | 92% |
3623 | Greenkeeper | 12,002 | 4,047 | 34% |
452414 | Lifeguard | 4,286 | 2,428 | 57% |
452411 | Footballer | 1,784 | 1,657 | 93% |
361112 | Horse Trainer | 2,793 | 1,559 | 56% |
362211 | Gardener (General) | 28,313 | 1,359 | 5% |
421111 | Child Care Worker | 95,429 | 1,219 | 1% |
361114 | Zookeeper | 1,219 | 1,072 | 88% |
451412 | Tour Guide | 4,456 | 739 | 17% |
452499 | Sportspersons nec | 921 | 716 | 78% |
3514 | Cook | 39,890 | 649 | 2% |
342313 | Electronic Equipment Trades Worker | 15,552 | 594 | 4% |
452413 | Jockey | 549 | 518 | 94% |
452412 | Golfer | 1,010 | 490 | 49% |
452318 | Dog or Horse Racing Official | 565 | 487 | 86% |
399516 | Sound Technician | 2,760 | 422 | 15% |
452215 | Outdoor Adventure Instructor | 1,350 | 399 | 30% |
399599 | Performing Arts Technicians nec | 1,337 | 330 | 25% |
399513 | Light Technician | 811 | 328 | 40% |
393213 | Dressmaker or Tailor | 4,987 | 202 | 4% |
452299 | Outdoor Adventure Guides nec | 285 | 159 | 56% |
452314 | Snowsport Instructor | 552 | 151 | 27% |
399999 | Technicians and Trades Workers nec | 3,780 | 135 | 4% |
361111 | Dog Handler or Trainer | 1,067 | 134 | 13% |
399514 | Make Up Artist | 2,377 | 117 | 5% |
452323 | Other Sports Official | 159 | 115 | 72% |
399512 | Camera Operator (Film, Television or Video) | 1,980 | 83 | 4% |
334111 | Plumber (General) | 47,037 | 77 | % |
394212 | Picture Framer | 1,388 | 76 | 5% |
452311 | Diving Instructor (Open Water) | 528 | 74 | 14% |
451815 | First Aid Trainer | 854 | 60 | 7% |
322113 | Farrier | 955 | 45 | 5% |
399515 | Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer | 747 | 42 | 6% |
452313 | Horse Riding Coach or Instructor | 740 | 39 | 5% |
399911 | Diver | 854 | 31 | 4% |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
ANZSCO code | Occupation title | Employment (all industries) |
Employed (this industry) |
Proportion employed in this industry |
4521 | Fitness Instructor | 26,803 | 7,417 | 28% |
4313 | Gaming Worker | 7,168 | 5,583 | 78% |
542111 | Receptionist (General) | 89,790 | 3,708 | 4% |
4315 | Waiter | 104,293 | 3,570 | 3% |
452315 | Swimming Coach or Instructor | 12,186 | 3,088 | 25% |
431111 | Bar Attendant | 45,711 | 2,380 | 5% |
452317 | Other Sports Coach or Instructor | 7,556 | 1,919 | 25% |
452312 | Gymnastics Coach or Instructor | 3,721 | 1,855 | 50% |
442217 | Security Officer | 38,478 | 1,058 | 3% |
451411 | Gallery or Museum Guide | 1,163 | 880 | 76% |
711999 | Machine Operators nec | 3,864 | 728 | 19% |
611399 | Sales Representatives nec | 16,826 | 515 | 3% |
552311 | Bookmaker | 457 | 436 | 95% |
599599 | Inspectors and Regulatory Officers nec | 10,587 | 374 | 4% |
361199 | Animal Attendants and Trainers nec | 3,945 | 317 | 8% |
451899 | Personal Service Workers nec | 4,795 | 309 | 6% |
452316 | Tennis Coach | 2,767 | 251 | 9% |
451611 | Tourist Information Officer | 1,398 | 229 | 16% |
421113 | Nanny | 7,176 | 225 | 3% |
451814 | Body Artist | 2,391 | 130 | 5% |
361115 | Kennel Hand | 1,195 | 87 | 7% |
599912 | Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage) | 1,132 | 86 | 8% |
442213 | Crowd Controller | 560 | 53 | 9% |
711715 | Weaving Machine Operator | 195 | 16 | 8% |
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 | 4,592 | 1% |
841516 | Stablehand | 4,235 | 2,487 | 59% |
431999 | Hospitality Workers nec | 2,848 | 1,521 | 53% |
899921 | Ticket Collector or Usher | 2,595 | 1,061 | 41% |
639411 | Ticket Seller | 15,248 | 878 | 6% |
561111 | Betting Agency Counter Clerk | 1,050 | 849 | 81% |
899999 | Labourers nec | 14,039 | 848 | 6% |
8997 | Vending Machine Attendant | 4,790 | 743 | 16% |
841411 | Garden Labourer | 18,123 | 695 | 4% |
631112 | Office Cashier | 7,062 | 540 | 8% |
811411 | Commercial Housekeeper | 25,413 | 360 | 1% |
561113 | Telephone Betting Clerk | 307 | 303 | 99% |
899912 | Car Park Attendant | 2,096 | 194 | 9% |
442299 | Security Officers and Guards nec | 344 | 170 | 49% |
811699 | Cleaners nec | 4,672 | 163 | 3% |
639111 | Model | 562 | 144 | 26% |
561199 | Betting Clerks nec | 304 | 126 | 41% |
431912 | Doorperson or Luggage Porter | 1,120 | 122 | 11% |
561112 | Bookmaker's Clerk | 76 | 76 | 100% |
431911 | Bar Useful or Busser | 825 | 75 | 9% |
442215 | Retail Loss Prevention Officer | 1,288 | 50 | 4% |
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
- 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