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 2016, there were an estimated 11.8 million employed persons aged 15 years and over, of which 54% were males. (Datacube 3)
- An estimated 7.9 million (67%) 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 2016, the mean weekly earnings of employees and OMIEs in all jobs was $1,223 compared with $1,202 in 2015. (Datacube 2)
- For males, the mean weekly earnings in all jobs was $1,420 and for females it was $1,007.
- The median weekly earnings in all jobs in 2016 was $1,012 ($1,200 for males and $880 for females). (Datacube 9)
Independent Contractors
- There were approximately 1 million independent contractors in their main job in August 2016. (Datacube 14)
- Approximately 9% of all employed persons were independent contractors, and almost three quarters (72%) of all independent contractors were males.
- More than half (55%) of independent contractors were aged 45 years and over.
Trade Union Members in their Main Job
- For employees and OMIEs;
- Trade union membership has steadily declined over recent years, with 2016 having the lowest proportion in the history of the series (15%). (Datacube 16)
- For all employed persons;
- 13% (1.6 million) were trade union members in connection with their main job. (Datacube 18)
- The Education and training and Public administration and safety industry divisions had the highest proportion of trade union members in main job (both 31%).
Persons Who Found Their Job Through a Labour Hire Firm/Employment Agency
- In August 2016, there were 600,800 persons (5% of all employed persons) who had found their job through a labour hire firm/employment agency, of which 59% were males. (Datacube 20)
- Of those persons who had found their main job through a labour hire firm/employment agency, 22% were paid by a labour hire firm/employment agency.
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