This page presents a snapshot of the public sector workforce based on the most recent data available. More detailed workforce information (including information on other government entities) is available in the State of the Western Australian Government Sector Workforce.
Please see the Commission’s About our workforce data page for additional contextual information.
Overview
Show more|
Headcount |
153,396 |
|
|
Full-time equivalent (FTE) |
121,298 |
|
|
General government expenses (June quarter) |
$3,502m |
|
|
Senior Executive Service (SES) |
397 |
|
|
Public sector median age |
45 |
|
|
Top 3 occupation groups (FTE) |
Teachers |
19.1% |
|
Clerical workers |
16.5% |
|
|
Nurses and midwives |
11.0% |
|
|
Diversity groups |
June 2021 |
Aspirational target |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Women in SES |
Representation |
43.6% |
50.0% |
|
Headcount |
173 |
|
|
|
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people |
Representation |
2.7% |
3.7% |
|
Headcount |
3,121 |
|
|
|
People with disability |
Representation |
1.5% |
5.0% |
|
Headcount |
1,750 |
|
|
|
Culturally and linguistically diverse people |
Representation |
14.8% |
15.5% |
|
Headcount |
15,736 |
|
|
|
Youth |
Representation |
4.3% |
5.8% |
|
Headcount |
6,634 |
|
|
|
Mature |
Representation |
51.9% |
n.a. |
|
Headcount |
79,607 |
|
|
Sector profile
Show moreEmployment trends
In June 2021 the WA public sector employed 153,396 people, equating to 121,298 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
In headcount terms, this reflected a quarterly increase of 1,643 (+1.1%) since March 2021, and an annual increase of 6,834 (+4.7%) since June 2020.
In FTE terms, this reflects a quarterly increase of 940 (+0.8%) since March 2021 and an annual increase of 4,420 (+3.8%) since June 2020.
Just over 70% of the change in FTE between March 2021 and June 2021 can be attributed to the Department of Education, which increased by 1,174 headcount (+2.1%) and 746 FTE (+1.8%). The increase related primarily to meeting operational requirements, which required additional teaching staff, education aides and non-teaching school-based staff.
WA Health also increased by 596 headcount (+1.1%) and 339 (+0.9%) FTE, with the Child and Adolescent Health Service comprising more than half of this increase (+312 headcount; +197 FTE).
In contrast, staffing at the 5 TAFE colleges declined by 132 headcount (-3.0%) and 150 FTE (‑4.2%) in line with the end of the semester and the separation of casual staff.
Decreases were also seen at the Department of Communities, with a decline of 164 headcount (-2.9%) and 130 FTE (-2.5%). This was driven primarily by staff taking voluntary severances in the June quarter, resulting in four consecutive quarterly declines since the September 2020 quarter.
Salaries expenditure
Salaries represent the single largest component of general government sector expenses (39% in 2020–21, or 43% if concurrent superannuation costs are also included).
At $13,469 million, annual growth in general government salaries expenditure was 4.5% for the 2020–21 financial year.
Figure 1. Salaries growth for each financial year since 2010–11 (general government)
Source: Department of Treasury
Historical headcount, FTE and salaries expenditure
Show more|
Quarter |
Headcount |
FTE |
Quarterly salaries expenditure ($m) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
September 2015 |
139,277 |
109,919 |
2,837 |
|
December 2015 |
137,520 |
108,325 |
2,888 |
|
March 2016 |
137,371 |
108,722 |
2,801 |
|
June 2016 |
135,770 |
107,809 |
2,857 |
|
September 2016 |
137,746 |
109,295 |
2,887 |
|
December 2016 |
135,936 |
106,830 |
2,931 |
|
March 2017 |
139,144 |
109,895 |
2,880 |
|
June 2017 |
140,403 |
110,662 |
2,912 |
|
September 2017 |
141,609 |
111,472 |
2,980 |
|
December 2017 |
137,878 |
108,371 |
3,029 |
|
March 2018 |
140,799 |
110,404 |
3,049 |
|
June 2018 |
139,812 |
110,373 |
3,135 |
|
September 2018 |
141,744 |
111,255 |
3,023 |
|
December 2018 |
138,678 |
108,601 |
3,091 |
|
March 2019 |
142,278 |
112,099 |
2,982 |
|
June 2019 |
142,735 |
111,932 |
3,172 |
|
September 2019 |
143,775 |
113,367 |
3,140 |
|
December 2019 |
143,586 |
113,143 |
3,212 |
|
March 2020 |
146,343 |
115,548 |
3,147 |
|
June 2020 |
146,562 |
116,878 |
3,366 |
|
September 2020 |
148,408 |
117,773 |
3,319 |
|
December 2020 |
148,532 |
117,664 |
3,350 |
|
March 2021 |
151,753 |
120,357 |
3,298 |
|
June 2021 |
153,396 |
121,298 |
3,502 |
WA public sector agencies’ staffing levels
Show more|
Agency |
June-21 Headcount |
June-21 FTE |
FTE change from March-21 |
FTE change from June-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Western Australian public sector |
153,396 |
121,298 |
+941 |
+4,420 |
|
Department of Education |
57,422 |
43,189 |
+746 |
+1,480 |
|
WA Health |
52,465 |
39,763 |
+339 |
+2,332 |
|
11,819 |
8,838 |
+21 |
+261 |
|
10,497 |
7,994 |
+30 |
+335 |
|
9,842 |
7,450 |
+16 |
+494 |
|
8,832 |
6,849 |
+45 |
+450 |
|
5,596 |
4,001 |
+197 |
+375 |
|
2,338 |
1,717 |
-3 |
+155 |
|
2,296 |
1,832 |
+15 |
+94 |
|
1,245 |
1,082 |
+18 |
+169 |
|
Department of Justice |
7,433 |
6,931 |
-22 |
+166 |
|
Department of Communities |
5,586 |
5,004 |
-130 |
-493 |
|
Western Australia Police |
2,971 |
2,186 |
-7 |
+22 |
|
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions |
2,284 |
1,942 |
-36 |
+106 |
|
Public Transport Authority |
2,262 |
2,130 |
+7 |
+56 |
|
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development |
1,868 |
1,689 |
+29 |
+105 |
|
Department of Fire and Emergency Services |
1,778 |
1,664 |
-10 |
+21 |
|
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety |
1,768 |
1,665 |
+18 |
+66 |
|
Department of Transport |
1,589 |
1,456 |
+39 |
+70 |
|
North Metropolitan TAFE |
1,476 |
1,181 |
-49 |
+55 |
|
South Metropolitan TAFE |
1,390 |
1,166 |
-54 |
+32 |
|
Main Roads Western Australia |
1,231 |
1,163 |
-5 |
+64 |
|
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries |
1,197 |
951 |
+19 |
+51 |
|
Department of Finance |
1,095 |
1,034 |
+11 |
+106 |
|
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation |
936 |
840 |
-5 |
-28 |
|
Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage |
877 |
790 |
+1 |
+7 |
|
Department of the Premier and Cabinet |
661 |
571 |
+43 |
+17 |
|
South Regional TAFE |
582 |
410 |
-35 |
+33 |
|
Landgate |
496 |
458 |
-10 |
-16 |
|
VenuesWest |
486 |
247 |
-17 |
+51 |
|
Department of Training and Workforce Development |
481 |
431 |
+1 |
+11 |
|
Central Regional TAFE |
429 |
336 |
-28 |
+15 |
|
Insurance Commission of Western Australia |
423 |
381 |
-6 |
-3 |
|
Mental Health Commission |
407 |
320 |
+27 |
+36 |
|
Legal Aid Commission of Western Australia |
373 |
326 |
+9 |
+19 |
|
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation |
352 |
319 |
+6 |
+35 |
|
North Regional TAFE |
340 |
310 |
+17 |
+41 |
|
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions |
310 |
280 |
-3 |
+10 |
|
Department of Treasury |
277 |
253 |
+2 |
-2 |
|
Lotterywest |
262 |
246 |
+3 |
-11 |
|
Office of the Auditor General |
200 |
181 |
-2 |
+29 |
|
Forest Products Commission |
191 |
170 |
+7 |
-22 |
|
Public Sector Commission |
170 |
125 |
-2 |
+4 |
|
Metropolitan Cemeteries Board |
162 |
145 |
-1 |
-10 |
|
ChemCentre |
153 |
141 |
+7 |
+3 |
|
WorkCover Western Australia |
144 |
132 |
+3 |
+8 |
|
Corruption and Crime Commission |
121 |
116 |
-5 |
-9 |
|
Ombudsman Western Australia |
80 |
68 |
+2 |
+3 |
|
Economic Regulation Authority |
72 |
67 |
-1 |
+2 |
|
Animal Resources Centre |
67 |
63 |
+1 |
+1 |
|
Small Business Development Corporation |
64 |
58 |
0 |
+1 |
|
GESB |
62 |
56 |
0 |
+5 |
|
Western Australian Electoral Commission |
57 |
52 |
+5 |
+11 |
|
Legal Practice Board |
44 |
42 |
+3 |
-3 |
|
National Trust of Australia (WA) |
38 |
25 |
-1 |
-5 |
|
Department of the Registrar, Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission |
34 |
33 |
-1 |
0 |
|
Western Australian Meat Industry Authority |
28 |
16 |
0 |
-2 |
|
Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority |
27 |
23 |
0 |
-60 |
|
Construction Training Fund |
26 |
22 |
0 |
0 |
|
MyLeave |
24 |
23 |
– |
– |
|
Health and Disability Services Complaints Office |
20 |
16 |
+1 |
-5 |
|
Commissioner for Children and Young People |
20 |
17 |
-1 |
+2 |
|
Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services |
20 |
17 |
+2 |
+2 |
|
Infrastructure WA |
15 |
14 |
-1 |
+2 |
|
Office of the Information Commissioner |
13 |
12 |
0 |
+1 |
|
Keep Australia Beautiful WA |
10 |
8 |
0 |
-1 |
|
Burswood Park Board |
8 |
6 |
0 |
+1 |
|
Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia |
7 |
6 |
+1 |
+1 |
|
Veterinary Surgeons' Board |
6 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Salaries and Allowances Tribunal |
3 |
3 |
+1 |
+1 |
|
Architects Board of Western Australia |
3 |
3 |
+1 |
+1 |
Data quality statement
Show moreInformation is based on an aggregate of agency supplied data, collected quarterly through the Human Resource Minimum Obligatory Information Requirements (HR MOIR). Data is supplied by agencies according to the guidelines set out in HR MOIR Data Definitions 1.5.1.
The information provided reflects the Commission’s holdings at the date of release. Workforce data is occasionally revised for quality, and corrections applied may result in figures being adjusted over time. This information relates only to public sector (Department, SES and non-SES agencies), and excludes sworn officers of the WA Police Force, public universities, local governments, government trading enterprises and other authorities.
All data is accurate as reported to us by contributing agencies.
As some figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals. Salaries expenditure data and information is provided by the Department of Treasury.
