INTRODUCTION
This publication presents results in respect of the 2001-02 financial year, from an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey of consultant engineering businesses. This is the fourth time the ABS has conducted this survey. Previous statistics were released for 1987-88, 1992-93 and 1995-96.
The scope of the survey was all employing businesses classified to class 7823 (Consultant Engineering Services) of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC). This class comprises businesses predominantly engaged in the provision of consultant engineering services.
COMPARISONS WITH PREVIOUS SURVEY RESULTS
This survey has been designed primarily to provide a measure of the financial and business structure of consultant engineering businesses operating in Australia. While comparisons are made between 2001-02 survey results and earlier iterations of the Consultant Engineering Services Survey, the survey has not been designed to provide highly accurate estimates of change, so any comparisons made to previous surveys should be used with caution.
For further information, see paragraph 15 of the Explanatory Notes.
COMMENTS ON THIS PUBLICATION
The ABS welcomes comments and suggestions from users recommending industries and data items for inclusion in future surveys. These comments should be directed to The Director, Service Industries Business Statistics Centre, Australian Bureau of Statistics, GPO Box 2796Y, Melbourne, Vic. 3001.
ROUNDING
Where figures have been rounded discrepancies may occur between the sum of component figures and the total.
ABBREVIATIONS
| ABN | Australian Business Number |
| ABS | Australian Bureau of Statistics |
| ANZSIC | Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification |
| ATO | Australian Taxation Office |
| GDP | Gross Domestic Product |
| GE | group employer |
| OPBT | operating profit before tax |
| PAYG | pay-as-you-go tax |
| PAYGW | pay-as-you-go withholding |
| RSE | relative standard error |
| SE | standard error |
| TAU | type of activity unit |
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
At the end of June 2002, there were 10,984 businesses mainly providing consultant engineering services. This represents an average annual increase of 12.2% since June 1996.
There were 64,495 persons employed in consultant engineering businesses with 26,680 of these persons working as engineers and representing 41% of total employment. There were a further 14,138 contract persons providing engineering and related services.
During 2001-02, the total income of consultant engineering businesses was $9,342 million. Total expenses for consultant engineering businesses were $8,240 million. Labour costs were the highest single expense ($3,616 million) representing 44% of total expenses.
Since 1995-96 operating profit before tax has increased from $351 million to $1,152 million in 2001-02. The operating profit margin increased from 11% in 1995-96 to 12.5% in 2001-02.
CONSULTANT ENGINEERING SERVICES, Summary of Operations
 | | 1995-96 | 2001-02 | Average
annual percentage change |
|
| | | | |
| Businesses at end of June | no. | 5,514 | 10,984 | 12.2 |
| Employment at end of June | persons | 30,736 | 64,495 | 13.1 |
| Number of contract persons at end June | persons | 8,212 | 14,138 | 9.5 |
| | | | |
| Income | | | | |
| Income from engineering services | $m | 3,032.9 | 8,931.3 | 19.7 |
| Other income | $m | 200.3 | ^410.8 | 12.7 |
| Total | $m | 3,233.3 | 9,342.0 | 19.3 |
| | | | |
| Expenses | | | | |
| Labour costs | $m | 1,241.6 | 3,616.3 | 19.5 |
| Direct payments to contractors and subconsultants | $m | 498.6 | 1,216.7 | 16.0 |
| Other expenses | $m | 995.9 | 3,406.5 | 22.7 |
| Total | $m | 2,736.2 | 8,239.5 | 20.2 |
| | | | |
| Operating profit before tax | $m | 351.0 | ^1,152.3 | 21.9 |
| Operating profit margin | % | 11.0 | 12.5 | . . |
| Industry value added | $m | na | ^1,287.2 | na |
^ estimate has a relative standard error of between 10% and 25% and should be used with caution
. . not applicable
na not available
Print Page
Print All