The jobs market

This web page explains

  • which industries in Tasmania employed the highest proportion of people aged over 45 at the time of the last census (2016)
  • some types of work likely to be in more and less demand across Australia in coming years
  • employers interested in workers from all backgrounds.

A note about Tasmanian employment projections

Information about Tasmanian industries expected to grow most strongly between 2019 and 2024 was calculated by the Australian Government using Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data. The information is available on our web page called “Tasmanian industry projections“. However, the Australian Government advises that the projections must now be used and interpreted with extreme caution because they do not take into account any impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency.1

Tasmanian industries with a high proportion of workers aged over 45

In the graph below it is clear that “health care and social assistance” was both a very large sector in Tasmania at the last census and one that employs many older workers. “Transport, postal and warehousing” employed far fewer people, but of those it employed, a high proportion were aged over 45.


Persons and proportion of workforce aged over 45 years in each Tasmanian industry in 2016 2

Types of work likely to increase and decrease across Australia3

  • Jobs are expected to increase in non-routine work (for example, work that needs creativity, digital skills, critical thinking or someone who is good at solving problems).
  • There are likely to be more jobs that need someone to be present, such as plumbers, aged and disability care workers, teachers, chefs and people who program software and apps.
  • It is likely there will be fewer jobs in routine work such as making cars and bookkeeping, because we will be using more and more technology to do these jobs.

Employers interested in workers from all backgrounds

As discussed in the section of Work45+ called “Age equality“, age discrimination is unlawful, but it still happens.

Older workers are not the only people who face discrimination in the workplace.

You should be able to apply for a job knowing you won’t be stereotyped because of your age, gender, race or culture, or because you have a disability. So it’s heartening to know that some employers are actively promoting diversity in the workplace.

The Diversity Council of Australia (DCA) is an independent peak organisation that promotes the inclusion of workers from all backgrounds.

Tasmanian members of DCA include:

  • Department of State Growth
  • Hydro Tasmania
  • RACT
  • Tasplan
  • TasrRail
  • University of Tasmania

Many national DCA members operate in Tasmania, including:

  • Australia Post
  • ANZ
  • Coles
  • CSIRO
  • GHD
  • Commonwealth Bank
  • JB Hi-Fi
  • NAB
  • Pharmacy Guild of Australia
  • Westpac
  • Woolworths
  • Many Australian Public Service departments and agencies
  • Many community sector organisations

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References
  1. Australian Government Labour Market Information Portal 2020, Employment Projections for the Five Years to May 2024: Regional  Employment by ANZSIC Industry
  2. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census of Population and Housing, TableBuilder
  3. Australian Government, Australian Jobs 2018, infographic: “The occupation groups which have surged. Highlights from Australian Jobs 2018 report”