Major industries in Tasmania
Tasmania’s Growing Economy
Tasmania has a strong and growing economy, and with a growing economy comes a growth in employment opportunities. Learn about the leading industries in the state.
Healthcare and social assistance
Healthcare and social assistance is the largest employment sector (16 per cent) in the state followed by retail, and education & training. Tasmania has an aging population, leading to greater growth in this industry. The top job roles in this sector include personal carers, midwives & nurses, health support workers, medical practitioners and receptionists.
Retail
Retail is a significant sector in Tasmania’s economy, with an estimated nominal value of $700.8 million in August 2022. It is the second largest employer in the state, accounting for 24,430 jobs.
Education & Training
Almost 10 per cent of Tasmania’s population is employed in education and training. For teachers, there are an abundance of employment opportunities in preschools, primary schools, universities, technical colleges, community education, and educational support.
Tourism
With its natural beauty and unique experiences, Tasmania’s tourism industry is also very important to the state’s economy with roughly 10 per cent of Tasmanians employed in the accommodation and food services sector.
Construction & Manufacturing
As Tasmania’s population continues to grow, the construction sector has become an increasingly vital sector to the state and is a big employer, accounting for 8.6 per cent of employment. There is a focus for more infrastructure projects in the state. This includes a focus on upgrades to roads and other important infrastructure like the Hobart Airport runway.
In recent times, Tasmania has also built a strong reputation for its high quality advanced manufacturing capabilities with Tasmanian companies producing specialist parts to defence, maritime and film and television sectors to name just a few, all over the world.
Agriculture & Forestry
Tasmania has long had a reputation for producing high quality agriculture, seafood and forestry products. The sector contributes 10.9 per cent to the economy and more than 13,000 jobs. The Tasmanian Agri-Food ScoreCard puts the agriculture, seafood and food gross value at $3.52 billion, making it a major contributor to Tasmania’s economy.
Science & Research
Tasmania’s proximity to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean also makes Tasmania a prime location for several scientific study and research institutions. The Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), CSIRO Hobart Marine Laboratories, the Australian Antarctic Division and the Australian Maritime College (AMC) are all based in Tasmania and attract people from all over the world.
Other Significant Industries
While there are several industries that make up a significant portion of the state’s economy, there are many other industries experiencing great growth with more job opportunities. These include: Transport & Warehousing, Arts & Recreation, Financial Services, Real Estate, Information Technology, and more.