ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION
This publication provides an overview of the South Australian economy. The overview will be updated on a quarterly basis (in September, December, March and June) and in the intervening months the publication will include feature articles that provide a South Australian focus on economic, social and environmental issues.
Explanatory Notes are not included in SA Stats in the form found in other ABS publications. Readers are directed to the Explanatory Notes contained in related ABS publications referenced in the feature article.
This months article, presents results from the Survey of Work in Selected Culture and Leisure Activities (ABS Cat. no. 6281.0), conducted in April 2004. It presents information for South Australia on the number, and some demographic characteristics, of persons involved in paid and unpaid wok in selected culture and leisure activities over a 12 month period.
The 2004 Survey of Work in Selected Culture and Leisure Activities was conducted throughout Australia as part of the ABS Monthly Population Survey. The survey was previously conducted in 1993, 1997 and 2001. Data from 2001 are included in some instances for comparative purposes.
If you have any comments about this product please contact Lisa Moutzouris on ph: (08) 8237 7455 or alternatively e-mail lisa.moutzouris@abs.gov.au.
WORK IN SELECTED CULTURE AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES
During the 12 months prior to April 2004, an estimated 225,200 South Australian persons (a participation rate of 18.5% of the South Australian population aged 15 years and over) were involved in some form of paid or unpaid work relating to the culture and leisure activities presented in Work in Selected Culture and Leisure Activities. A person is classified as having involvement in a culture and leisure activity if they had any participation, paid or unpaid, in any one of the nominated culture and leisure activities and it was not done as a hobby (where all of the participation is for the person's own use or for the benefit of their family).
The 2004 survey results show that participation was highest amongst those aged 15 to 24 years (25.0%), followed by those aged 35 to 44 years (20.8%). Those aged 55 years and over recorded the lowest participation rate in South Australia (12.7%).
PAID INVOLVEMENT
Overall
Of all persons aged 15 years and over who worked in a culture or leisure field in South Australia, 31.5% (71,000), received some payment for their participation (even if not all of the involvement was paid). This was a decrease of 3,700 persons compared to the 2001 survey results.
The largest decreases in the proportion of paid participants from 2001 to 2004 were in the fields of visual arts (16.4% decrease) and crafts (16.6% decrease). Visual Arts includes activities such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, print-making, computer art, and other art activities. Craft includes activities such as pottery and ceramics, textiles, jewellery, furniture-making and wood crafts, glass crafts, and other craft activities. However, even though these fields experienced the largest decreases in the proportion of paid participants from 2001 to 2004, these fields have experienced an increase in the overall participation rates, with the number of participants rising from 38,400 in 2001 to 62,800 in 2004 for visual arts (a 63.5% increase), and a rise from 32,700 to 48,400 in crafts (48.0% increase).
![Graph 3: Involvement by Activity & Payment Status, South Australia.](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/e1d32dd5b14b7957ca25711c0070f6a5/Body/0.24FE!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
Age Groups
In the 2004 survey, persons aged 45 to 54 years and 25 to 34 years recorded the highest proportion of paid involvement, with 41.2% and 41.0% respectively. Persons aged 55 years and over had the lowest proportion of paid involvement (11.6%).
Comparing the 2004 and 2001 survey results for South Australia, the largest percentage decrease in paid participation occurred in the 55 years and over age group. In this age group, 12,000 persons recorded some paid involvement in activities in 2001 (24.3% of those involved in activities), compared with only 5,600 persons in 2004 (11.6% of those involved). The youngest age group surveyed, 15 to 24 years, recorded an increase in paid involvement from 11,300 in 2001 (26.5% of those involved), to 16,200 in 2004 (32.0% of those involved).
Source: 'Work in Selected Culture and Leisure Activities' (ABS cat.no. 6281.0)