Which service industries provide most jobs and income in the Australian Capital Territory?

The service sector is the primary driver of the economy in the Australian Capital Territory, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the territory’s employment and income, excluding wholesale and retail trade.1

Government administration and defense constitute the largest segment of this sector. Because the federal government maintains its headquarters and numerous authorities in Canberra, it serves as the territory's main producer of services. Other significant service industries include:12

• Property and business services1
• Health and community services1
• Education1
• Media, lobbying, and national associations, which interact directly with government institutions1
• Tourism, including accommodations, restaurants, and cultural or recreational services, which account for approximately one-tenth of employment1

While nearly half of all jobs are directly in government or government services, the economy has increasingly integrated private industry through the outsourcing of government functions. The territory government also provides essential health, education, and cultural services to both its residents and those in surrounding areas of New South Wales.21