Quarterly Tourism Labour Statistics

Latest release

Estimates of quarterly tourism jobs by tourism-related industries

Reference period
March 2026
Release date and time
17/06/2026 11:30am AEST

Key statistics

In March quarter 2026, there were 726,800 tourism jobs. This was:

  • 8,200 (-1.1%) less jobs than December quarter 2025
  • 29,500 (4.2%) more jobs than March quarter 2025
  • 1 in 22 (4.5%) filled jobs in the economy.

Key tourism events in Australia, March quarter 2026

  • Severe weather events, including cyclones, flooding and bushfires.
  • Major sporting events and some high-profile concerts.
  • Rising fuel prices, supply shortages, and flight disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
  • Two Reserve Bank of Australia official cash rate increases.
Change in number and percentage of jobs
 Mar-26Quarterly changeQuarterly change (%)Annual changeAnnual change (%)
Tourism jobs726,800-8,200-1.129,5004.2
Whole economy jobs16,195,300-3,3000.0305,0001.9

Filled jobs

All references to "jobs" are referring to "filled jobs" unless otherwise specified. All data in this publication is original series. For information on the various measures of jobs, refer to Methodology.

Tourism industry

Change in number and percentage of jobs by industry
 Mar-26Quarterly changeQuarterly change (%)Annual changeAnnual change (%)
Accommodation137,3002,5001.920,20017.3
Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services210,200-5,600-2.62,5001.2
Clubs, pubs, taverns and bars44,200-2,200-4.75001.1
Road passenger transport and transport equipment rental40,3003000.71,1002.8
Air, water and other passenger transport42,200-700-1.64001.0
Travel agency and information centre services16,5001000.63001.9
Cultural services17,4002001.21,60010.1
Casinos and other gambling services1,50000.0-400-21.1
Sports and recreation services35,900-200-0.61,2003.5
Retail trade125,600-2,400-1.91,0000.8
Education and training43,700-300-0.79002.1
Other tourism industries12,0001000.82001.7

In March quarter 2026, 6 of the 12 tourism industries recorded a decrease in jobs. The largest decreases were in:

  • Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services: down 5,600 (-2.6%)
  • Retail trade: down 2,400 (-1.9%)
  • Clubs, pubs, taverns and bars: down 2,200 (-4.7%).

These were partially offset by an increase in:

  • Accommodation: up 2,500 (1.9%).

The 4.2% increase in jobs from March quarter 2025 to March quarter 2026 was driven by increases in 11 of the 12 tourism industries, the largest being:

  • Accommodation: up 20,200 (17.3%)
  • Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services: up 2,500 (1.2%)
  • Cultural services: up 1,600 (10.1%).

These were partially offset by a decrease in:

  • Casinos and other gambling services: down 400 (-21.1%).

Full-time and part-time employment

Change in number and percentage of jobs by full-time and part-time employment
 Mar-26Quarterly changeQuarterly change (%)Annual changeAnnual change (%)
Full-time375,3003,7001.021,7006.1
Part-time351,400-12,000-3.37,7002.2

Sex

Change in number and percentage of jobs by sex
 Mar-26Quarterly changeQuarterly change (%)Annual changeAnnual change (%)
Male346,500-3,200-0.98,9002.6
Female380,200-5,100-1.320,5005.7

Sex by full-time and part-time employment

Change in number and percentage of jobs by sex by full-time and part-time employment
 Mar-26Quarterly changeQuarterly change (%)Annual changeAnnual change (%)
Full-time: male204,3003,2001.67,9004.0
Full-time: female171,0005000.313,7008.7
Part-time: male142,200-6,400-4.31,0000.7
Part-time: female209,200-5,600-2.66,8003.4

The decrease in March quarter 2026 was the result of 6,400 less jobs held by males working part-time and 5,600 less jobs held by females working part-time. This was partially offset by 3,200 more jobs held by males working full‑time.

The increase from March quarter 2025 to March quarter 2026 was the result of 13,700 more jobs held by females working full-time and 7,900 more jobs held by males working full-time.

Data downloads

Data files

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 5249.0.55.005.

Methodology

Scope

Tourism-related jobs with a direct impact on tourism activity. A direct impact occurs where there is a direct relationship (physical and economic) between a visitor and the producer of a good or service.

Geography

National

Source

Employment ratios from the 2024-25 Tourism Satellite Account applied to job numbers from the Australian Labour Account.

Collection method

Data compiled from various sources

Concepts, sources and methods

Tourism statistics are built in line with the concepts and methods in the Manuals on Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Accounts 

History of changes

Not applicable to this release

View full methodology
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