Employment and training snapshot
Though employment in the Public Order and Safety Services industry has fluctuated between 2001 and 2021, levels have grown overall by over two thirds (68%) during this time with a peak of approximately 227,300 in 2021. Employment levels in the Defence industry have fluctuated and peaked at around 34,300 in 2012, however after an increase to about 31,300 in 2020 employment levels have declined to 29,000 in 2021. It is projected that employment levels for the Defence industry will remain relatively unchanged at 28,400 by 2025, while levels will decline slightly to 224,100 in the Public Order and Safety Services industry.
Police are the largest proportion of the Public Order and Safety Services workforce, at just under 30%. Employment levels for all VET related occupations in the Public Order and Safety Services industry are projected to increase by 2025, with the strongest increase expected for Security Officers and Guards (10%). For analysis of Defence occupations, see the Defence sector page. Note due to exemptions, training data for this industry is limited, and should be considered as a general trend indicator.
After fluctuating between 2016 and 2018, program enrolments in Corrections and Public Safety-related qualifications increased to 22,280 in 2019 then declined to 18,490 in 2020. Program completions steadily increased from close to 4,780 in 2016 up to just under 8,610 in 2019 before declining slightly to around 8,090 in 2020. The proportion of enrolments being undertaken as part of a nationally recognised program has varied over the years, with a low of 43% in 2018 and a peak of 53% in 2016. In 2020 approximately 49% of enrolments were delivered as part of a nationally recognised program.
