Cultural occupations - country of birth

The five-yearly Census of Population and Housing collects information relating to the occupation and industry of each person’s main job, meaning the job in which a person usually works the most hours.

Close to 75,000 Australians employed in cultural occupations for their main job were born outside of Australia, according to the 2006 Census. This accounts for about 26 per cent of the total number of people employed in cultural occupations.

Of the total number of Australians working in cultural occupations, 36,510 or 12.8 per cent were born in countries where English is the main language. A further 38,131 or 13.4 per cent were born in countries where English is not the main language.

About 72 per cent of Australians employed in cultural occupations were born in Australia. This compares closely to the figure for all employed people born in Australia, at 73 per cent.

For all employed people, 10.5 per cent were born in countries where English is the main language, and 14.4 per cent were born in countries where English is not the main language.

About 86 per cent of people born in Australia attended at least one cultural event or venue, compared to 81 per cent of people born outside of Australia.

About 23 per cent of people born in Australia had paid or unpaid work involvement in a cultural activity, compared to 18 per cent of people born outside of Australia.