The New South Wales workforce accounts for a significant share of national employment across all industries, reflecting both the size and diversity of the New South Wales economy. New South Wales, and Sydney in particular, have strengths in key services industries such as finance and insurance (with a 41% share of national employment), communication services (36%), the tourism-related accommodation, cafes and restaurants industry (36%), transport and storage (34%), and property and business services (34%).
In Sydney, the property and business services industry is the largest source of employment, while in regional New South Wales, retail trade and health and community services are two of the largest employing industries, together accounting for over 30% of the State's regional employment. Overall, just under one third of the Australian workforce resides in New South Wales, while two thirds of the State's workers live in the Sydney region.
Employment growth in New South Wales in the last ten years has been strongest in the construction, property and business services, cultural and recreational services, health, and finance and insurance industries.