Aged and Disabled Carers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Aged and Disabled Carers provide general household assistance, emotional support, care and companionship for aged and disabled persons in their own homes.
Also known as: Personal Care Worker, or Personal Carer.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Aged or Disabled Carer. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in aged care, disability, mental health, community services or another related field.
Tasks
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accompanying aged and disabled persons during daily activities
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assisting clients with their mobility
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preparing food for clients
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arranging social activities
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performing housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming and cleaning
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assisting in personal hygiene and dressing
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providing companionship, friendship and emotional support
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may do shopping and run errands
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may live in with the person
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Helping
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Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
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Very Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow very strongly
- is likely to reach 341,800 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 118,100 |
2012 | 118,200 |
2013 | 130,600 |
2014 | 139,100 |
2015 | 144,100 |
2016 | 163,200 |
2017 | 169,100 |
2018 | 174,400 |
2019 | 214,900 |
2020 | 222,200 |
2021 | 266,900 |
2026 | 341,800 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 33% of people employed as Aged and Disabled Carers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 33 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,382 per week, this is much lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,206
- 1 in 4 earn more than $1,744
Median hourly earnings are $36, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Aged and Disabled Carers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,382 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Aged and Disabled Carers work in the Health care and social assistance industry.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Aged and Disabled Carers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 26.9 | 31.6 |
VIC | 26.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 11.7 | 7.0 |
WA | 10.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 3.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.4 | 1.9 |
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Around 49% of Aged and Disabled Carers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
South Australia has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Aged and Disabled Carers is 47 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 80% of the workforce. This is 32 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Aged and Disabled Carers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.4 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 7.3 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 16.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 18.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 27.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 14.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 9.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 5.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 47 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Aged or Disabled Carer. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in aged care, disability, mental health, community services or another related field.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Health Industry and Community Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Aged and Disabled Carers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 3.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 12.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 15.5 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 42.6 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 11.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 11.4 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Aged and Disabled Carers who are caring, compassionate, empathetic and reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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54%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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45%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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41%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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41%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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39%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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39%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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39%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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37%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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34%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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34%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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29%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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25%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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23%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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20%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
59%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
48%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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39%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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33%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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30%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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29%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
27%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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26%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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25%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
-
25%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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24%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
24%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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24%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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22%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
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21%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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19%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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18%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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15%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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14%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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12%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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52%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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41%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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41%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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37%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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37%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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36%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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36%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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36%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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34%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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32%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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32%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
75%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
60%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
59%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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57%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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52%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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52%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
51%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
48%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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47%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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41%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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41%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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41%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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38%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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37%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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37%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
35%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
34%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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33%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
25%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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23%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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76%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
62%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
-
81%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
57%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
57%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
48%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
43%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
38%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
89%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
87%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
84%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
81%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
81%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
80%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
80%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
80%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
77%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
76%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
75%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
-
74%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
73%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
72%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
71%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
70%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
-
70%
Disease or infectionBe exposed to disease or infections.
-
68%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
65%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 39-9021.00 - Personal Care Aides.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.