RDA Northern Territory

Employment by industry (Total)

In the RDA Northern Territory, Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employer, generating 22,215 local jobs in 2023/24.

Employment (total) is the most accurate and up to date measure of the total number of people employed in the RDA Northern Territory. 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 RDA Northern Territory 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 RDA Northern Territory'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

Please note – Detailed notes about how the figures are derived can be found in the specific topic notes section.
Current area:
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Comparison year:
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Employment (total) by industry
RDA Northern Territory2023/242018/19Change
IndustryNumber%. Northern TerritoryNumber%. Northern Territory2018/19 - 2023/24
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing2,9252.22.22,8022.12.1+123
Mining6,1374.54.55,2123.93.9+926
Manufacturing3,4012.52.54,2493.23.2-848
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services2,4681.81.82,5081.91.9-40
Construction10,8478.08.011,6058.68.6-758
Wholesale Trade2,0551.51.52,7462.02.0-691
Retail Trade9,2746.96.910,1407.57.5-865
Accommodation and Food Services8,5796.46.48,3866.26.2+193
Transport, Postal and Warehousing6,0854.54.56,1184.54.5-33
Information Media and Telecommunications1,4021.01.01,9281.41.4-525
Financial and Insurance Services1,4421.11.11,5021.11.1-60
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services1,7881.31.32,0781.51.5-290
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services7,7395.75.76,9605.25.2+779
Administrative and Support Services4,0453.03.05,0863.83.8-1,041
Public Administration and Safety21,84716.216.222,90117.017.0-1,055
Education and Training13,0189.69.611,3608.48.4+1,658
Health Care and Social Assistance22,21516.516.518,49013.713.7+3,726
Arts and Recreation Services4,1393.13.14,0573.03.0+82
Other Services5,5414.14.16,3784.74.7-837
Total industries134,947100.0100.0134,505100.0100.0+441

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
Did you know? By clicking/tapping on a category in the chart below you will be able to drilldown to the sub categories.
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Dominant groups

An analysis of the jobs held by the local workers in the RDA Northern Territory in 2023/24 shows the three largest industries were:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (22,215 people or 16.5%)
  • Public Administration and Safety (21,847 people or 16.2%)
  • Education and Training (13,018 people or 9.6%)

In combination these three industries accounted for 57,080 people in total or 42.3% of the local workers.

In comparison, Northern Territory employed 16.5% in Health Care and Social Assistance; 16.2% in Public Administration and Safety and 9.6% in Education and Training.

The major differences between the jobs held by local workers of the RDA Northern Territory and Northern Territory were:

  • A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Other Services (4.1% compared to 4.1%)
  • A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Arts and Recreation Services (3.1% compared to 3.1%)
  • A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Health Care and Social Assistance (16.5% compared to 16.5%)
  • A smaller percentage of local workers employed in the field of Education and Training (9.6% compared to 9.6%)

Emerging groups

The number of local workers in the RDA Northern Territory increased by 441 between 2018/19 and 2023/24.

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (+3,726 local workers)
  • Education and Training (+1,658 local workers)
  • Mining (+926 local workers)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (+779 local workers)

RDA Northern Territory

economic profile