Labour Market Context in 2021
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During July 2021, Australia’s unemployment rate nationally dropped to around 4.6 percent, with increasing participation — and youth employment improved notably (Jobs and Skills Australia, yourcareer.gov.au).
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Though specific figures for South Australia in 2021 are not directly cited, by early 2024–25 the state had an unemployment rate around 4.0% and a participation rate near 63%, suggesting a reasonably tight labour market since then (University of Adelaide, yourcareer.gov.au).
🏭 Key Employing Industries
According to the 2021 Census:
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Top industries in SA were:
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Health Care & Social Assistance (~16.4% of employment)
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Retail Trade (~9.7%)
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Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (~6.1%) (Australian Bureau of Statistics, Jobs and Skills Australia, Economy, content.yourcareer.gov.au)
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In regional SA, the largest sectors were:
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Health Care & Social Assistance
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Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
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Retail Trade (Economy)
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Growth from 2016 to 2021 in regional areas included:
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Health (+4,443 jobs)
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Construction (+3,173)
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Food & Accommodation (+1,940)
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Education & Training (+1,641) (Economy)
🔍 Skill Shortages and Job Demand
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By 2021, 149 occupations in SA were officially classed as in shortage — rising to 351 in subsequent years. Many employers (≈60%) reported hiring difficulties (Skills SA).
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Occupations in construction trades (tilers, concreters, bricklayers, etc.) were particularly in demand and remain critical skill shortages across the state (Adelaide Now).
🚀 Growth Sectors & Emerging Opportunities
Defence & Advanced Manufacturing
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By late 2021, the state began gearing up for submarine / naval shipbuilding projects — expected to support tens of thousands of jobs for decades (The Guardian).
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Adelaide also established innovation precincts like Lot Fourteen, hosting the Australian Space Agency, cyber collaboration centres, and start‑ups via the Innovation Collaboration Centre (ICC), opening up roles in space tech, cyber and high‑tech services (Wikipedia).
Vocational & Training Pathways
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Institutions like St Patrick’s Technical College (expanding in 2021 to include Year 10) and TAFE SA saw emphasis on trades qualification delivery, aligning programs with high‑demand occupations such as automotive, plumbing, IT and construction trades (Wikipedia).
🎓 Summary by Job Category
| Sector | 2021 Overview & Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Health & Aged Care | Largest employer in the state; continued demand. |
| Construction & Trades | High and growing demand; significant skill shortages. |
| Retail & Hospitality | Steady regional employment, especially youth roles. |
| Professional & Technical | Tech, science, and business services roles growing. |
| Defence & Space Tech | Emerging jobs from naval and space projects. |
| VET & Apprenticeships | Training investment rising; pathways into trades. |
✅ Career Options & Pathways
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Health-related professionals: nursing, aged care, allied health support roles.
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Trades and construction: electricians, plumbers, builders, tilers — especially with apprenticeships/VET.
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Tech and innovation: cybersecurity, software, engineering roles linked to new precincts and agencies.
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Retail, hospitality, food services: accessible entry‑level roles, especially for younger workers.
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Education & training: apprenticeship support, vocational instructors.
📌 Final Thoughts
In 2021, South Australia offered a relatively strong job market — lowish unemployment and rising demand in specific sectors. Health care, trades, and STEM‑linked industries were key employers. Large-scale initiatives, such as defence builds and innovation spaces, created fresh career pathways.