Employment
Employment
Employment levels are integral to the productivity and growth of the Kimberley economy, and key to improving the quality of life in our region. Higher levels of labour force participation and employment results in greater levels of overall income, output and community well-being.
The Kimberley unemployment rate has been consistently higher than the State unemployment rate, a situation typical of regional and remote areas. The breakdown of labour force numbers and unemployment by Local Government Area can be seen in the interactive graphs below.
Labour Force
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Kimberley unemployment rates by Local Government Area
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The region aspires to labour market outcomes that mirror the norms that apply across the State and the nation. Outcomes of this scale will transform the Kimberley both economically and socially. Transformational changes are required as outlined in the Kimberley Development Commission Blueprint.
The aspirational population in 2036 of in excess of 90,000 people will require over 30,000 jobs to achieve labour market participation rates that are consistent with the rest of Western Australia. Indigenous people will need to become more engaged in 18,300 new jobs. The current and future population targets and jobs required to meet participation rates in line with that of the rest of the State are outlined in our Blueprint publication.
Employment by Industry
The Kimberley Blueprint and its key stakeholders are committed to generating over 15,000 new jobs from the region’s comparative advantage industries. If employment in all other industries grows at approximately the same rate as population growth, a further 18,000 – 19,000 jobs could be generated by 2036.
The Kimberley ‘tree map’ below illustrates the number of people employed according to sector as at the 2016 Census. Out of a total of 15,084 jobs, Health Care & Social Assistance (15.88%); Education and Training (13.40%); and Accommodation and Food services (9.27%) are the top three primary employers in the Kimberley, followed by Public Administration (9.18%), Construction (7.86%) and Retail Trade (7.14%). The mining industry employed an estimated 640 persons or 4.24% of total jobs in the Kimberley.
Useful Links
Invest In the Kimberley
The Kimberley boasts many progressive, vibrant and promising industries with large potential for future growth.
Annual Report
Ensuring the transparency and accountability for the Kimberley Development Commission.
Our Region
The Kimberley is a complex landscape that represents one sixth of Western Australia’s land mass; equivalent to twice the size of Victoria.
Local Content
Our Local Content Advisor will help develop, promote and maximise opportunities in the regions.