Employment (total) is the most accurate and up to date measure of the total number of people employed in the Northern Rivers Region. The statistics are modelled by NIEIR to correct for the known undercount of jobs recorded in the Census. They estimate the total number of persons employed in an industry sector (full-time and part-time) in the Northern Rivers Region regardless of where they live. They are updated annually.
By comparing the number of jobs in each industry sector to a regional benchmark, you can clearly see the structure of the Northern Rivers Region's economy. This can be done by directly comparing the area to its benchmark, or by using a location quotient to look at the relative size of industries.
Estimated total employment by industry should not be considered as a "Full-Time Equivalent" measure as different industries will have different ratios of part-time and full time employees. Full-time employment by industry statistics are also available.
To see how employment is distributed across the area, see the Employment locations section and to see where people come from to work in these industries, these data should be viewed in conjunction with Workers place of residence by industry data.
More granular sub-categories for each industry sector are available in the Employment by industry (Census) counts. While Census figures undercount employment they do provide a more detailed picture of the specific industries operating in the area.
Data source
National Economics (NIEIR) - Modelled series
Current area:
Current benchmark:
Comparison year:
| Employment (total) by industry | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Rivers Region | 2023/24 | 2018/19 | Change | ||||||
| Industry | Number | % | NSW | Number | % | NSW | 2018/19 - 2023/24 | ||
| Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | 6,315 | 4.4 | 1.8 | 6,844 | 5.3 | 2.1 | -529 | ||
| Mining | 443 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 344 | 0.3 | 1.0 | +100 | ||
| Manufacturing | 7,686 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 8,078 | 6.2 | 6.7 | -393 | ||
| Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services | 1,512 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1,176 | 0.9 | 1.0 | +337 | ||
| Construction | 16,656 | 11.5 | 9.7 | 13,416 | 10.4 | 9.4 | +3,240 | ||
| Wholesale Trade | 2,773 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 2,628 | 2.0 | 3.3 | +145 | ||
| Retail Trade | 15,330 | 10.6 | 9.0 | 15,413 | 11.9 | 9.7 | -83 | ||
| Accommodation and Food Services | 12,404 | 8.6 | 6.4 | 12,663 | 9.8 | 7.0 | -259 | ||
| Transport, Postal and Warehousing | 4,732 | 3.3 | 5.2 | 4,557 | 3.5 | 5.4 | +175 | ||
| Information Media and Telecommunications | 1,225 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 1,281 | 1.0 | 2.3 | -57 | ||
| Financial and Insurance Services | 2,013 | 1.4 | 5.3 | 1,779 | 1.4 | 4.9 | +234 | ||
| Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services | 2,049 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2,167 | 1.7 | 1.7 | -118 | ||
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 7,662 | 5.3 | 10.1 | 6,699 | 5.2 | 9.7 | +963 | ||
| Administrative and Support Services | 4,981 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 4,485 | 3.5 | 3.2 | +495 | ||
| Public Administration and Safety | 7,472 | 5.2 | 6.1 | 6,789 | 5.3 | 5.7 | +683 | ||
| Education and Training | 13,327 | 9.2 | 8.5 | 12,049 | 9.3 | 8.3 | +1,278 | ||
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 29,472 | 20.4 | 15.3 | 21,091 | 16.3 | 13.2 | +8,381 | ||
| Arts and Recreation Services | 2,108 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 3,020 | 2.3 | 1.8 | -913 | ||
| Other Services | 6,243 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 4,834 | 3.7 | 3.8 | +1,408 | ||
| Total industries | 144,402 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 129,314 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +15,088 | ||
Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) ©2025. Compiled and presented in economy.id by .id (informed decisions). NIEIR-ID data are adjusted each year, using updated employment estimates. Each release may change previous years’ figures. Learn more Please refer to specific data notes for more information | |||||||||
Dominant groups
An analysis of the jobs held by the local workers in the Northern Rivers Region in 2023/24 shows the three largest industries were:
- Health Care and Social Assistance (29,472 people or 20.4%)
- Construction (16,656 people or 11.5%)
- Retail Trade (15,330 people or 10.6%)
In combination these three industries accounted for 61,458 people in total or 42.6% of the local workers.
In comparison, NSW employed 15.3% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 9.7% in Construction and 9.0% in Retail Trade.
The major differences between the jobs held by local workers of the Northern Rivers Region and NSW were:
- A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Health Care and Social Assistance (20.4% compared to 15.3%)
- A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (5.3% compared to 10.1%)
- A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Financial and Insurance Services (1.4% compared to 5.3%)
- A larger percentage of local workers employed in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (4.4% compared to 1.8%)
Emerging groups
The number of local workers in the Northern Rivers Region increased by 15,088 between 2018/19 and 2023/24.
- Health Care and Social Assistance (+8,381 local workers)
- Construction (+3,240 local workers)
- Other Services (+1,408 local workers)
- Education and Training (+1,278 local workers)