KEY FINDINGS
The Characteristics of Employment Survey presents information on all employed persons according to their status of employment. The framework below classifies jobholders to a status of employment on the basis of their main job that is, the job in which they usually worked the most hours. The status of employment category groups are:
- Employees;
- Owner managers of incorporated enterprises (OMIEs); and
- Owner managers of unincorporated enterprises (OMUEs).
Employees are then further classified according to whether they had paid leave entitlements, that is whether they had paid sick and/or paid holiday leave, while OMIEs and OMUEs are further classified according to whether they had employees.
Information is also presented on independent contractors who may be in the Employees, OMIEs or OMUEs groups. They are identified through a series of questions about their work and remuneration arrangements.
OVERVIEW
Employed Persons
- In August 2015, there were an estimated 11.6 million employed persons aged 15 years and over, of which 54% were males. (Datacube 3)
- An estimated 7.9 million (68%) employed persons worked full-time in their main job. (Datacube 4)
- Almost half (46%) of all employed persons usually worked 35–44 hours per week. Males comprised 60% of these persons.(Datacube 5)
Earnings
- In August 2015, the mean weekly earnings of employees and OMIEs in all jobs was $1,202 compared with $1,189 in 2014. (Datacube 2)
- For males, the mean weekly earnings in all jobs was $1,420 and for females it was $965.
- The median weekly earnings in all jobs in 2015 was $1,000 ($1,196 for males and $850 for females). (Datacube 9)
Independent Contractors
- There were approximately 1 million independent contractors in their main job in August 2015. (Datacube 14)
- Independent contractors made up 9% of all employed persons, and almost three quarters (73%) of all independent contractors were males.
- More than half (55%) of independent contractors were aged 45 years and over.
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