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From February to May this year, COVID-19 has severely impacted the employment rate across many industries in Australia. A staggering 822,000 jobs have been lost across the country since February, with some industries impacted more than others.
In fact, almost half a million jobs in just three industries (arts, hospitality and transport) have been lost during this period, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Australia data analysed by Finder. That’s 56% of all jobs lost in that period.
However, not every industry has suffered during COVID with some industries and jobs thriving, and some expected to continue growing in a post-COVID world.
Total employed persons by industry | February 2020 | May 2020 | Difference | % Difference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Accommodation and Food Services | 930,500 | 654,300 | -276,200 | -30% |
Transport, postal and warehousing | 666,400 | 571,800 | -94,600 | -14% |
Arts and Recreation services | 251,900 | 160,100 | -91,800 | -36% |
Retail Trade | 1,261,400 | 1,182,800 | -78,600 | -6% |
Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,798,300 | 1,731,200 | -67,100 | -4% |
Source: Finder, ABS. Ranked by highest number of jobs lost
This industry has seen the most jobs lost out of all industries, with 276,200, losing 30% of its workforce. Within this industry, workers in the subcategory of food and beverage services accounted for 92% of those jobs lost, with the remainder working in accommodation.
Why?
There were 94,600 fewer jobs recorded in May 2020 compared to February 2020, which equates to a 14% loss of its workforce. Within this industry, the subcategory of transport support services and air and space transport was the worst hit sector accounting for
39% of the entire industry's loss of jobs.
Why?
There were 91,800 fewer jobs recorded in May, which equates to a 36% loss of its workforce since February. This is the biggest proportion of any industry in Australia.
Why?
The retail industry saw a loss of 78,600 jobs from February to May 2020, which was 6% of its workforce, with every subcategory within it reporting losses except e-commerce.
Why?
Health care and social assistance saw a loss of 67,100 jobs, dropping by 4% of its workforce.
Why?
Total employed persons by industry | February 2020 | May 2020 | Difference | % Difference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste services | 136,100 | 168,500 | 32,400 | 24% |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | 337,100 | 361,300 | 24,200 | 7% |
Public Administration and Safety | 828,500 | 846,300 | 17,800 | 2% |
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate services | 213,700 | 219,900 | 6,200 | 3% |
Wholesale Trade | 385,700 | 389,300 | 3,600 | 1% |
Source: Finder, ABS. Ranked by highest number of jobs gained
This industry has seen the highest increase in workers from 136,100 in February 2020 to 168,500 in May 2020 – a difference of 32,400 or 24%. Within this industry, electricity supply was the subcategory with the largest increase, accounting for 71% of the entire industry's jump in employment.
Why?
The total number of Australians employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing was 361,300 as of May 2020, which is 7% higher than February 2020 (337,100). However, agriculture was the only subcategory with significant growth as it increased by 29,300 workers (10%).
Why?
The Coronavirus has not affected this industry as much as some may have expected. There were 17,800 more workers recorded in May than in February this year, an increase of 2%. Within the industry, the subcategories of defence and public order/safety and regulatory services increased the most, accounting for 89% of the entire industry’s growth.
Why?
The rental, hiring and real estate services saw an increase of 6,200 jobs, jumping by 3% of its workforce. Jobs in the subcategory of property operators and real estate services increased by 7,500 (4%) whereas rental and hiring services saw a loss of 2,100 jobs (-6%).
Why?
Wholesale trade saw an increase of 3,600 jobs, which is a slight rise of 1% of its workforce. The biggest rise in employment within that industry was in grocery, liquor and tobacco products.
Why?
The total number of Australians employed was over 12.2 million as at May 2020, 5.4% lower than May 2019, which saw over 12.9 million Australians employed. The hospitality, arts and transport industries show a similar trend to the QoQ figures as they account for 64% of all job losses from May 2019 to May 2020.
Total employed persons by industry – top 5 biggest drop in employment | May 2020 | May 2019 | Difference | % Difference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Accommodation and Food Services | 654,300 | 925,300 | -271,000 | -29% |
Retail Trade | 1,182,800 | 1,290,800 | -108,000 | -8% |
Arts and Recreation Services | 160,100 | 257,000 | -96,900 | -38% |
Other Services | 442,600 | 523,200 | -80,600 | -15% |
Transport, Postal and Warehousing | 571,800 | 651,000 | -79,200 | -12% |
Administrative and Support Services | 392,600 | 465,600 | -73,000 | -16% |
Source: Finder, ABS. Ranked by highest number of jobs lost
Total employed persons by industry – top 5 biggest increase in employment | May-2020 | May-2000 | Difference | % Difference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mining | 227,300 | 76,500 | 150,800 | 197% |
Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,731,200 | 841,200 | 890,000 | 106% |
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services | 168,500 | 82,400 | 86,100 | 104% |
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 1,108,900 | 579,400 | 529,500 | 91% |
Public Administration and Safety | 846,300 | 475,700 | 370,600 | 78% |
Source: Finder, ABS. Ranked by highest number of jobs gained
Total employed persons by industry – biggest drop in employment | May 2020 | May 2000 | Difference | % Difference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturing | 864,700 | 1,101,300 | -236,600 | -21% |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | 361,300 | 428,000 | -66,700 | -16% |
Information, Media and Telecommunications | 187,900 | 221,600 | -33,700 | -15% |
Source: Finder, ABS. Ranked by highest number of jobs lost
Total employed persons by industry – top 5 biggest increase in employment | May-2020 | May-2000 | Difference | % Difference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,731,20 | 841,200 | 890,000 | 106% |
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 1,108,900 | 579,400 | 529,500 | 91% |
Construction | 1,179,600 | 692,000 | 487,600 | 70% |
Education and Training | 1,035,800 | 634,600 | 401,200 | 63% |
Public Administration and Safety | 846,300 | 475,700 | 370,600 | 78% |
Source: Finder, ABS. Ranked by highest number of jobs gained
The industries likely to continue to grow following COVID-19 are:
The pandemic has been tough for many Australians, as we’ve seen over 800,000 jobs lost from February to May this year. Fortunately, not every industry is suffering and there are tremendous opportunities in some areas that are thriving in the pandemic.
For instance, we’ve seen a boom in employment for electricity, gas, water and waste services with 32,400 new jobs. The growth is primarily due to the consumption of these services increasing dramatically during COVID as people stay indoors. However, this growth is expected to ease post-COVID when lockdown restrictions ease.
Another interesting industry is retail. Despite seeing 78,000 jobs lost in that quarter for the whole retail industry, e-commerce is booming. It jumped by 4,900 jobs as online shopping has become a necessary alternative to physical retail shopping. I think e-commerce will continue to grow as people get used to shopping online.
We’re also seeing a higher number of new businesses being registered. Australians are looking for new ways to earn a living and it’s great to see people taking the leap and starting a business or trying something new.
For businesses, it’s a great opportunity to hire new people. There are lots of talented people out there who are very motivated and hungry to level up, find new opportunities that they can excel at and they’re prepared to do something new, which is exciting for businesses.
Image source: Getty Images
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