Employment & Labour
Employment Levels
Traditionally, unemployment in the Lismore Council Area has been well above the NSW rate. However, unemployment for Lismore over the last decade has fallen from a peak of 12.8 percent in 1998 to 6.4 percent for the March 2008 quarter. This represents a much higher proportion of our labour force now being utilised (the highest in over a decade), with expanding employment opportunities and a ready availability of local skilled labour.
Whilst these figures may be a reflection of the buoyant economic conditions for Australia, the Lismore LGA as a regional area is expected to retain a higher rate of unemployment than the State average. This is partly because the rate of job growth in recent years has lagged behind the population expansion as ‘tree changers’ seek out the region’s renowned lifestyle.
Unemployment rate – Lismore Council Area – 1996 to 2008
Source: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations – Small Area Labour Markets
Labour force
Lismore Council Area is part of a region experiencing business growth in Health Care, Education and industry sectors contributing to Tourism and Hospitality. Employment associated with Public Administration and Safety, plus Personal Services is also on the rise as these sectors expand their service delivery capacity.
Number of employees by industry – Lismore Council Area – 1991 to 2006
Source: ABS Census data
Dominance by the Retail sector as the region’s main employer for many decades, gave way in 2006 to service delivery in Health Care and Social Assistances. Since the 2006 census, the ‘Employees by Industry’ chart reflects strong expansion in both the Heath and Education sectors as they continue to provide the chief employment in the region. These two sectors firmly underpin Lismore as the medical and educational centre for the region.
This unprecedented health sector expansion and the record number of patient treatments by the North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) are very strong indicators of our burgeoning health sector. In the year ending 2006, the NCAHS treated 10 percent more inpatients than in the previous year – providing the strongest indicator of our growing population.
Education is key to a thriving economy and the Lismore LGA is well served by quality providers offering primary, secondary and tertiary educational excellence. Southern Cross University and the North Coast Institute of TAFE are not only important employment providers, but their courses also underpin the upskilling of our local workforce and economy.
Two new industry categories were introduced in the 2006 Census – that of Administrative and Support Services, as well as Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. Whilst Construction and Manufacturing appear to have lost ground in employment numbers since the 2001 Census, it is thought that these jobs are still retained in the region, but have simply been recorded under the two new industry categories.
Traditional agricultural industries, such as timber and wood products, sugar, dairying and cattle, whilst under economic stress, remain important sources of wealth for the region. This wealth is being augmented by the so called ’sunrise’ industries including macadamias, coffee and tea tree. New opportunities for agricultural pursuits exist by value adding to the supply chain, creating new products and services.