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1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2006  
Previous ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 20/01/2006   
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Contents >> Chapter 19 - Construction >> Economic contribution of the construction industry

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The contribution of an industry to the overall production of goods and services in an economy is measured by gross value added (GVA). Information on the relationship between industry GVA and gross domestic product (GDP) is provided in the Industry Structure and Performance chapter.

Total production of the construction industry, as measured by GVA (in chain volume terms), generally increased from 1991-92 to 1999-2000. The peak in 1999-2000 was followed by a sharp decline, coinciding with the introduction of The New Tax System in July 2000. Construction industry GVA (in chain volume terms) has increased steadily in each of the three years following 2000-01, and in 2003-04 reached $48,556 million (m) (graph 19.1).

Graph 19.1: CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTION(a), Chain volume measures(b)


EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Average annual employment in the construction industry has been increasing since 2000-01 and in 2004-05 the construction industry employed an average of 819,600 people (table 19.2). This was 6% higher than average employment in 2003-04 and 23% higher than in 2000-01. Although the number of own account workers has only increased slightly since 2003-04, the number of employers has increased by 12%, and the number of employees by 8%.

In 2004-05 the majority of those employed in the construction industry were employed in construction trade services (70%) (table 19.2). Construction trade services include those engaged in services such as earthmoving, concreting, bricklaying, roofing, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, glazing and landscaping. Average annual employment in construction trade services has continued to increase since 2000-01, with 572,300 people employed in 2004-05. Employment in general construction, which includes the construction of houses, buildings and structures, can be more volatile. In 2004-05 average annual employment increased by 1% to 247,300 people after a 5% increase in 2003-04.
19.2 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT(a)
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
Employment status
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
General construction(a)
Employee
180.7
199.5
180.7
194.5
202.1
Employer
11.5
11.3
6.9
10.9
9.9
Own account worker(b)
42.5
48.0
44.7
38.2
35.4
Total(c)
237.4
259.9
233.4
244.3
247.3
Construction trade services
Employee
245.9
249.8
281.4
316.5
349.6
Employer
34.7
34.4
37.7
35.9
42.3
Own account worker(b)
145.9
145.0
159.8
169.7
180.4
Total(c)
431.3
432.6
481.9
525.4
572.3
Total construction(d)
Employee
426.6
449.3
462.1
510.9
551.7
Employer
46.2
45.7
44.5
46.8
52.2
Own account worker(b)
188.4
192.9
204.5
207.8
215.8
Total(c)
667.7
692.5
715.3
769.7
819.6
(a) Annual average of quarterly data.
(b) A worker that hires no employees (this category was formerly titled Self employed).
(c) Total includes contributing family worker.
(d) Includes categories General construction and Construction trade services.

Source: Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery (6291.0.55.001).


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