The Hume Workforce Development
Committee
Hume Regional Development Australia
Public Administration and Safety
Labour Market Snapshot
Workforce Planning Australia | December 2012

Public Administration and Safety
Services Industry
The Public Administration and Safety Industry as defined by ANZSIC* includes the following eight sectors.
Justice
Public Order and Safety
Services
Defence
Local
Government
State
Government
Government
Representation
Regulatory
Services
Central (Aust)
Government
Source: DEEWR, Employment Outlook, for public Administration and Safety 2011, * Australian New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification
2 |

Public Administration and Safety
Services - Industry Overview
Public Administration and Safety Services employs approximately 743,000 person, which is around 6.5 per cent of the total workforce.
Over the past five years employment in the industry has increased at a rate of 2.9 per cent per annum.
While employment growth in the industry has been evident for more than a decade, public sector employment fluctuates according to economic conditions.
Employment growth is projected to be .8% per annum till 2016/17, less than the 1.4% for all industries.
The median age for workers in this industry is 43 years.
About this scan
This scan focuses on direct employment in the three levels of government, Local, State and
Commonwealth, Corrections and Public Safety. Other segments of the public sector such as
‘Water’, ‘Education and Training’ and ‘Health’ are covered in other scans.
Source: DEEWR, Employment Outlook for Public Administration and Safety 2011, GSA Environmental Scan 2012
3 |

Public Administration and Safety
Industry Employment
•
The Government and Public Administration industry is the eighth largest employer of the
19 ANZSIC industries, providing employment for nearly 793,000 people.
Industry Employment Level February 2012
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey (trend data) cat no 6291.0.55.003, DEEWR, Skills Info 2012
5 |

Public Administration and Safety
Services: Historical Employment Growth
•
Between 2000 and 2012 the number of people employed in Public Administration and
Safety grew each year, with the exception of 2008, the year of the Global Financial
Crisis (GFC)
Public Administration and Safety - Employment Level ('000s)
February 1994 to 2012
800
742.9
706.8
687.3
700 680.2
645.4
632.9
615.6
610.0
584.8
589.1
600
531.0
506.6
500
459.4
457.8
477.9
470.2
470.6
474.3
450.4
400
300
200
100
0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey (trend data) cat no 6291.0.55.003, DEEWR, Skills Info 2012
6 |

Public Administration and Safety
Services: Employment levels by segment
•
State governments employ the largest number of people of the three levels of government. The number of people employed in the Australian Government (‘Central
Govt’) is similar to the total number employed in all local governments across Australia.
Public Administration and Safety - Employment Level - Feb 2012 ('000s)
State Government Admin 219.9
Public Order, Safety Services 184.0
Central Government Admin 138.7
Local Government Admin
Defence
Justice
Regulatory Services 5.8
20.9
35.5
135.9
Government Representation 2.9
0 50 100 150 200
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey (trend data) cat no 6291.0.55.003 (DEEWR Projections), DEEWR, Skills Info, 2012
7 |
250

Public Administration and Safety
Services: Past Employment growth
(2007 – 2012)
•
In the five years from 2007 to 2012 employment in the Australian Government (Central
Govt Administration) reduced by nearly 3,000 people. For the same period employment in State Governments around Australia increased by more than 61,000.
Public Administration and Safety - Five Year Emp Growth (000s) to Feb 2012
6.8
6.2
6.2
12.4
61.1
State Government Admin
Public Order, Safety Services
Local Government Admin
Defence
Justice
2.4
Regulatory Services
Government Representation 1.8
-2.9
-10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey (trend data) cat no 6291.0.55.003, DEEWR, SkillsInfo
8 |
70
Central Government Admin

Public Administration and Safety
Services : Projected growth (2012-2016/7)
•
The highest projected employment growth is in the ‘Justice’ segment, followed by Public
‘Order and Safety’. This is the only segment that has projected growth above the average for all industries.
Public Administration and Safety - Projected Employment Growth
(% pa) to 2016-17
Justice
ALL INDUSTRIES
Public Order, Safety Services
Defence
Public Administration and Safety
State Government Admin
0.8
0.8
Local Government Admin
Regulatory Services
Central Government Admin
0.6
0.7
0.5
Government Representation 0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey (trend data) cat no 6291.0.55.003, DEEWR, Skills Info 2012
9 |
1.0
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.4
1.4
1.6
1.6
1.8

Public Admin and Safety
Services – Top employing occupations
•
Police, General Clerks, and Security Officers and Guards are the three largest occupations in the Public Administration and Safety Services Industry.
Public Administration and Safety
- Top 20 Employing Occupations in 2011 ('000s)
Police
General Clerks
Security Officers and Guards
Contract, Program and Project Administrators
Inspectors and Regulatory Officers
Policy and Planning Managers
Intelligence and Policy Analysts
Fire and Emergency Workers
Other Miscellaneous Labourers
Inquiry Clerks
Prison Officers
Accounting Clerks
Keyboard Operators
Office Managers
Welfare Support Workers
Civil Engineering Professionals
Accountants
Personal Assistants
Software and Applications Programmers
Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts …
0
10.4
10.0
9.4
9.0
7.7
13.6
12.2
15.1
14.2
13.9
13.6
16.9
16.6
15.6
15.3
10 20
25.2
29.3
38.8
30 40
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey (trend data) cat no 6291.0.55.003, DEEWR, Skills Info 2012 , SkillsInfo ,2012
10 |
43.5
50
50.5
60

Public Admin and Safety
Services – Median Age
•
All segments of the Public Administration and Safety Services industry have median ages above the median age for all industries of 39.
Public Administration and Safety - Median Age in years - 2011
53 Regulatory Services
10 20 30
39
40
41
44
45
48
50
Government Representation
Defence
Local Government Admin
State Government Admin
Public Administration and Safety
Justice
Central Government Admin
Public Order, Safety Services
60
ALL INDUSTRIES
0
Source: DEEWR, SkillsInfo ,2012
11 |
42
43
43
43

Public Administration and Safety
Services - Drivers of Workforce Development
Key drivers of workforce change include the following five factors.
Population
Growth
Ageing
Workforce
Flexible Work arrangements
Decreasing public service employment
Source: Government Skills Australia, (GSA) Environmental Scan 2012
12 |
Drivers of workforce
Change
Climate change/environ mental issues

Public Administration and Safety
Services : Drivers of Workforce Development
1. Decreasing public sector employment
In 2011, the Victorian Government announced the Victorian Public Service would be reduced by 4,200 positions.
Employment in the Australian Government reduced by nearly 3,000 people in the five years to 2012 and the projected growth is small at .6% per annum (1)
2. Ageing Workforce
All segments within this industry have median ages above the median for all industries. (2)
3. Population Growth
Population growth will drive demand for staff in service delivery roles in the public sector, such as police, courts, correctional services, child protection and emergency services.
(2)
Source: DEEWR, SkillsInfo, Employment Outlook or Public Administration and Safety Services, 2012; Government Skills Australia, (GSA) Environmental
13 |

Public Admin and Safety Services –
Drivers of Workforce Change
4. Flexible Work arrangements
Public sectors organisations will be under increasing pressure to offer staff flexible working arrangements. These arrangements will be needed to cater for staff with children as well as older workers looking to transition to retirement and older worker with care responsibilities (i.e. Elderly parents or grandchildren) (2)
5.
Climate Change and Environmental issues
Climate and environmental considerations will continue to have an impact on public service and public sectors roles. Changes to roles will be driven by:
•
•
The introduction of changed work practices that consider the environmental impact of various work activities; and
The introduction of new technologies aimed at reducing any impacts on the environment.
Government Skills Australia, (GSA) Environmental scan 2012
14 |

Public Administration and Safety
Services – Corrections
•
Approximately 30,000 people work in the correctional services sector in Australia.
•
Parts of the sector face difficulties attracting and retaining staff due to:
•
•
•
The image of the sector
Competition for staff with the resources sector
Increasing demand for staff due to increasing prisoner numbers
•
A Government Skills Australia (GSA) survey found the occupations most in demand are
•
•
Correctional Services officers
Community Corrections officers
Source: Government Skills Australia, Environmental Scan 2012
16 |

Public Administration and Safety
Services : Victorian Public Sector
• State Governments employ the greatest proportion of people working in Public
Administration and Safety Services. (1) At 30 June 2011 the Victorian public sector (VPS and public sector) employed 264,223 people.
• The Victorian Public Service (VPS) comprises 11 government departments and 24 authorities and offices.
• At 30 June 2011, there were 40,100 Victorian public servants, 60% are female, 42.8 was their average age and 22% work part time.
• The Victorian Public Service grew by more than 12,000 staff between 2000 and 2102.
• In 2012 the Victorian Government announced the Victorian Public Sector would be reduced by 4,200 jobs.
• In recent years the strongest growth occurred in departments delivering services, such as Human Services, Health, Education and Early Childhood, Justice, Sustainability and
Environment, Primary Industries, and Transport.
• The three largest departments are: Department of Human Services (11,805 headcount),
Department of Justice (7,563, headcount). Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development (3,314, headcount, excluding school staff)
Source: DEEWR, Employment Outlook for Public Administration and safety, 2011,SSA, (2012) State of the Sector Report
18 |

Public administration and Safety
Services – Victorian Public Sector
• In 2010-2011 annual growth slowed to less than 1%. This compares to an average annual compound growth of 5.3% between 2006 and 2010.
• 38% of Victorian public sector employees work in specialised roles covered by occupation-specific classifications.
• The largest increase in occupational/specialist roles has been among child protection workers. In 2011 there were nearly 1,700 in Victoria, an increase of nearly 25% since
2006.
• Since 2006 and the re-development of the classification structure, the proportion of staff at Grades 1, 2 and 3 has been decreasing and the proportion of staff at the 4, 5, and 6 levels has been increasing. This is consistent with the increasing professionalisation of the public sector workforce over time.
• Note: The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has reported the same change in profile. APSC attributes the upward shift in classifications structures to the increasing complexity and difficulty of public sector roles. The outsourcing of low-skilled functions over time has also contributed to changing the classifications profile.
Source: SSA, (2012) State of the Public Sector Report, APSC, 2011, State of the Public Sector in Victoria Report 2010-2011
19 |

Public Administration and Safety
Services – The Public Sector in Hume
Key Commonwealth and Victorian Government employers in Hume include:
Commonwealth Governments in Hume
ATO – Albury/Wodonga
Centrelink
Medicare
Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service (CRS)
Australian Hearing
Victorian State Government in Hume
Department of Human Services (Disability Services/Child Protection)
Department of Health
Justice - Community Correctional Services in Benalla, Myrtleford, Seymour, Wangaratta and
Wodonga. Dhurringile Prison, Beechworth Correctional Centre
Department of Sustainability and Environment
Department of Primary Industries
DBI (including Small Business Victoria), DEECD Regional offices and DPCD
Victorian Pubic Entities
Parks Victoria, Water authorities
TAFEs
Government Schools
Public Health sector (hospitals, community health centres)
Transport (Vic Roads and V Line)
21 |
Source: SSA, (2012) State of the Sector report, APSC, 2011, State of the Service report 2010-2011

Public Admin and Safety Services– Victorian
Public Sector Employment in Hume
Victorian Public Sector- Segment
Police and Emergency Services
(e.g. Vic Police, Ambulance Victoria, CFA, SES)
Water and Land Management
(e.g. Water authorities, Parks Victoria, Alpine Resorts
Management Boards, Vic Forests)
Arts, Finance, Transport and other
66 entities including Cemetery trusts, TAC, Vic Roads
Public Health Care
Hospitals, Health Services, research institutes
Government School sector
Primary, secondary, special schools
TAFE Sector
Total employees in Victoria
21,227
% of total employed in Hume
5%
Approx No. employed in Hume
1061
8,420 18% 1515
14,858
97,103
65,155
17,360
6%
6%
2%
6%
300
5820
3909
1042
Source: SSA, (2012) The State of the Public Sector in Victoria Report,
22 |

Public Administration and Safety
Services by LGA
2006 vs. 2011 Census Data
Moira
298 (2006)
354 (2011)
G Shepparton
1,012 (2006)
1,099 (2011)
Strathbogie
230 (2006)
260 (2011)
Benalla
444 (2006)
402 (2011)
Indigo
536 (2006)
594 (2011)
Wangaratta
745 (2006)
812 (2011)
Wodonga
1,975 (2006)
2,227 (2011)
Alpine
240 (2006)
299 (2011)
Mitchell
1,546 (2006)
1,727 (2011) Murrindindi
385 (2006)
425 (2011)
Source: ABS Census Data 2006 and ABS Census Data 2011
23 |
Mansfield
161 (2006)
196 (2011)
Total Industry
7,711 (2006 )
8,561 (2011)
11%
Towong
139 (2006)
167 (2011)
Hume Region Boundary
Sub-region Boundary
Local Government Area
(LGA) Boundary

Employment growth Projection in
Hume
•
According to Monash projections between 2012-13 and 2016-17, total employment in
Public Administration and Safety Services in the Hume region is expected experience a small decline.
10,400
10,200
10,000
9,800
9,600
9,400
9,200
9,000
2012-3 2013-4 2014-5 2015-6 2016-7
Public Admin employment
Usage is restricted to the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and third parties undertaking work on behalf of Skills Victoria.
Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies, 2011 (Hume Employment: by ANZSCO occupation, '000 persons, 2010-1 to 2017-8)
24 |

Public Administration and Safety
Services: Employment growth in Hume
•
•
According to Monash projections Defence Force members are the largest occupational groups employed in Public Administration (government) and Safety Services in the
Hume region.
All occupations are projected to show small declines in employment between 2012and 2016-17 with the exception of social and welfare professionals.
Nat.l & Phy.l Sci Profs
Info & Organisation Profs
Contract/Prog/Project Admin
Health & Welfare Wrkrs
Social & Welfare Profs
Misc Clerical/Admin Wrkrs
General Clerks
Prison & Security Officers
Personal Carers & Assistants
Defence Force Members etc
0,00 0,20 0,40 0,60 0,80 1,00 1,20 1,40
000' persons
2012-3
2016-7
Usage is restricted to the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and third parties undertaking work on behalf of Skills Victoria.
Source: Monash Centre of Policy Studies, 2011 (Hume Employment: by ANZSCO occupation, '000 persons, 2010-1 to 2017-8)
25 |

Public Administration and Safety VET
Education Data
Security Officer
Emergency Services Worker
Office Manager
Prison Officer

Public Administration and Safety Services
VET Enrolments - Age Profile
•
Between 2008 and 2011 the number of people enrolled in courses related to Public
Administration and Safety Services declined.
•
While enrolments overall declined between 2008 and 2011, enrolments in the 15-19 and
20-24 aged groups increased
•
In 2011 enrolments were spread across the age ranges. The highest number of enrolments were in the 15 to 24 and the 40 to 44 age groups.
100
80
60
40
20
0
160
140
120
15 to 19 20 to 24 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 44 45 to 49 50 to 54 55 to 59 60 to 64 65 and over
Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.
28 |
Not stated
Under 15
2008
2011

Public Administration and Safety:
VET Course Level and Diversity
800
700
•
In 2011, the highest number of enrolments were for Certificate II levels qualifications.
600
500
400
•
Between 2008 and 2011, the number of people enrolled in Certificate III level qualifications doubled from 100 to 200 enrolments.
300
200
100
•
•
At 8%, course enrolments by people with disabilities is relatively high and increased marginally between 2008 and 2011.
Enrolments by indigenous people were low in both 2008 and 2011.
9%
8%
7%
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%
0
Advanced
Diploma
Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.
29 |
Disabled
Certificate
II
Certificate
III
Certificate
IV
Indigenous
Diploma
CALD
2008
2011
2008
2011

Security officers
VET Enrolments Age Profile
•
In 2011 more than 215 people were enrolled in security officer qualifications in the
Hume region.
•
Well over a third of these enrolments were among people aged 15-24.
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
15 to 19 20 to 24 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 44 45 to 49 50 to 54 55 to 59 60 to 64 65 and over
Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.
31 |
Not stated
2008
2011

VET Course and Diversity
160
140
•
Between 2008 and 2011 enrolments in security operations qualifications at both the Certificate II and Certificate
III levels rose dramatically.
120
100
80
60
•
More than 8% of people enrolled in security operations qualifications were people with disabilities.
40
20
•
Less than 1% of enrolments were by indigenous people and around 3% were by CALD people.
0
Certificate I in
Security Operations
Certificate II in
Security Operations
Certificate III in
Security Operations
9%
8%
7%
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%
Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.
Disabled
32 |
Indigenous CALD
2008
2011
2008
2011

Public Administration and Safety
VET Enrolments in Hume, Age Profile
Between 2008 and 2011 enrolments in VET level qualifications in emergency services dropped markedly.
2011 course enrolments were spread across all aged groups.
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
15 to 19 20 to 24 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 44 45 to 49 50 to 54 55 to 59 60 to 64 65 and over
Not stated
Under 15
2008
2011
Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.
34 |

VET Course and Diversity
600
•
•
The sharp drop in course enrolments between 2008 and 2011 most likely
500
400 reflects the discontinuation of some courses and the introduction of new courses.
300
200
More than 9% of enrolments were by people with disabilities.
100
0
10%
9%
8%
7%
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%
Certificate II in
Emergency Medical
Service First
Response
Certificate II in Public
Safety (SES Rescue)
Certificate III in
Public Safety
(Community Safety)
Disabled Indigenous
Certificate III in
Public Safety (SES
Operations)
CALD
Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.
35 |
2008
2011
2008
2011

Office Manager
VET Enrolments in Hume - Age Profile
Enrolments in Office Manager qualifications were low in both 2008 and 2011, but dropped markedly between these two time periods.
In 2011 fewer than 32 people were enrolled in VET Office Manager qualifications, compared with approximately 62 people enrolled in 2008.
2011 enrolments were spread across the aged groups with the 30-34 aged group having
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
20 to 24 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 44 45 to 49 50 to 54 55 to 59 60 to 64 65 and over Not stated
Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.
37 |
2008
2011

Public Administration and Safety
Services: VET Course and Diversity
70
60
•
Between 2008 and 2011 enrolments in the Certificate IV in Government more than halved from just over 60 enrolments to 30 enrolments.
50
40
30
•
There were low level of enrolments by all diversity groups in this qualifications, though there were small increases in enrolments by people with disabilities and people from CALD backgrounds
20
10
0
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%
0%
Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.
38 |
Disabled
Certificate IV in Government
Indigenous CALD
2008
2011
2008
2011

Prison Officers - Hume
VET Enrolments and Age Profile
•
In 2008 and 2011 overall number of enrolments for prison officer qualifications were similar.
•
While both years had approximately 45 people enrolled in these courses, there were marked differences between the years in the age groups enrolled.
•
2011 enrolments were concentrated in the 25-49 aged groups. In contrast 2008 enrolments more heavily concentrated in the 40-59 aged groups.
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
15 to 19 20 to 24 25 to 29 30 to 34 35 to 39 40 to 44 45 to 49 50 to 54 55 to 59 60 to 64 Not stated
Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.
40 |
2008
2011

Prison Officers
VET Courses and Diversity
•
•
Enrolments in Correction Practice courses dropped marginally between
2008 and 2011.
•
In 2011, just below 40 people were enrolled in Correction Practice qualifications.
•
Most enrolments are in Certificate III level qualifications.
There were marked increases in the percentage of enrolments by both people with disabilities and people from CALD backgrounds.
8%
6%
4%
15
10
5
0
35
30
25
20
Certificate III in Correctional
Practice
(Community)
Certificate III in Correctional
Practice
(Custodial)
Certificate IV in Correctional
Practice
Certificate IV in Correctional
Practice
(Community)
12%
10%
2%
0%
Disabled Indigenous CALD
Source: Data prepared 9 March 2012, Market Analysis team, Skills Victoria.
41 |
2008
2011
2008
2011

What this means?
Employment levels in ‘Public Administration and Safety’ have been growing for more than a decade, but are projected to slow to 0.8% per annum over the next five years, less than the 1.4% average for all industries.
The highest projected employment growth is in the ‘Justice’ segment, followed by Public
‘Order and Safety’. ‘Justice’ is the only segment that has projected growth above the average for all industries.
In Australia, Police, General Clerks, and Security Officers and Guards are the three largest occupations in the Public Administration and Safety Services Industry.
State Governments employ the largest number of public sector staff and in
2011/2012 the Victorian Government announced the Victorian Public Service would be reduced by 4,200 positions. Job losses are expected to be focused on administration roles rather than service delivery. In the Hume Region more staff work in service delivery roles than administration roles.
42
After increasing by 11% between 2006 and 2011, employment in Public Administration and Safety in Hume is expected to show a small decrease in the next five years.
Employment in ‘Public Sector Social and Community Worker’ roles is projected to be stable.

Data Quality and Limitations
The data challenges included:
1.
2.
Different definitions of industries / occupations between ABS, Industry Skills Councils and Monash.
Different Time periods used by different sources
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Old Data - ABS Census is now 6 years old. 2011 ABS Census data has been used where available.
Lack of HUME region industry data particularly for industries where employers are predominantly private sector (e.g. Retail, manufacturing and Transport and Logistics)
Lack of regional Skills Shortage Data – DEEWR lists are at the State level
Changes in name and level of VET qualifications (training packages)
Poor sourcing of data – The data source and date were unclear for some data sources.
Limitation of Liability
This Labour Market Snapshot has been compiled using data which, to the best of Workforce Planning
Australia’s knowledge, was current and correct at the time of printing.
WPA gives no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained herein nor its applicability to any specific circumstances. It is intended as a guide only and Workforce Planning Australia will not be liable to any person as a result of any actual or perceived inaccuracy contained in this report.