Overview
All Legislators
-
Unavailable Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
-
2,900 workers Employment Size
-
Very high skill Skill level rating
-
74% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
56 hours Average full-time
-
53 years Average age
-
41% female Gender Share
Legislators represent the interests of people in constituencies as elected members of national, state and territory parliaments and local government authorities.
You can work as a Legislator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. University and Vocational Education and Training (VET) are both common study pathways.
Tasks
- developing national, state, territory or local government policy, and formulating, amending and repealing legislation and by-laws
- helping constituents with a range of problems particularly with regard to matters concerning government and local agencies
- investigating matters of concern to the public and to particular persons and groups
- introducing proposals for government action and representing public and electoral interests
- issuing policy directions to government departments and exercising control over local government authorities
- attending community functions and meetings of local groups to provide service to the community, gauge public opinion and provide information on government plans
- may serve as a member on parliamentary committees and inquiries
- may present petitions on behalf of concerned groups
Prospects
There were 2,900 Legislators in 2020. The number of workers:
- fell over the past 5 years
- is expected to fall over the next five years
- is likely to reach 2,700 by 2025.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted data to November 2020 and National Skills Commission Employment Projections to 2025. The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment Snapshot
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Legislators work in many regions of Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Public Administration and Safety; Health Care and Social Assistance; and Education and Training.
- Full-time: Many work full-time (74%, higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 56 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 53 years (compared to the average of 40 years). Many workers are 45 years or older (74%).
- Gender: 41% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Employment Outlook
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2020 and National Skills Commission Employment Projections to 2025.
Main Industries
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).
States and Territories
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Education Level
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Pathways
You can work as a Legislator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. University and Vocational Education and Training (VET) are both common study pathways.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Business Services VET training pathways.
Skills & Knowledge
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Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 11-1031.00 - Legislators.
Work Environment
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Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 11-1031.00 - Legislators.
All Legislators
-
Unavailable Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
-
2,900 workers Employment Size
-
Very high skill Skill level rating
-
74% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
56 hours Average full-time
-
53 years Average age
-
41% female Gender Share
Legislators represent the interests of people in constituencies as elected members of national, state and territory parliaments and local government authorities.
You can work as a Legislator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. University and Vocational Education and Training (VET) are both common study pathways.
Tasks
- developing national, state, territory or local government policy, and formulating, amending and repealing legislation and by-laws
- helping constituents with a range of problems particularly with regard to matters concerning government and local agencies
- investigating matters of concern to the public and to particular persons and groups
- introducing proposals for government action and representing public and electoral interests
- issuing policy directions to government departments and exercising control over local government authorities
- attending community functions and meetings of local groups to provide service to the community, gauge public opinion and provide information on government plans
- may serve as a member on parliamentary committees and inquiries
- may present petitions on behalf of concerned groups
There were 2,900 Legislators in 2020. The number of workers:
- fell over the past 5 years
- is expected to fall over the next five years
- is likely to reach 2,700 by 2025.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, seasonally adjusted data to November 2020 and National Skills Commission Employment Projections to 2025. The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment Snapshot
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Legislators work in many regions of Australia.
- Industries: Most work in Public Administration and Safety; Health Care and Social Assistance; and Education and Training.
- Full-time: Many work full-time (74%, higher than the average of 66%).
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 56 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 53 years (compared to the average of 40 years). Many workers are 45 years or older (74%).
- Gender: 41% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Employment Outlook
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2020 and National Skills Commission Employment Projections to 2025.
Main Industries
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).
States and Territories
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Education Level
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
You can work as a Legislator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. University and Vocational Education and Training (VET) are both common study pathways.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Business Services VET training pathways.
We're working on this content
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 11-1031.00 - Legislators.
We're working on this content.
Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 11-1031.00 - Legislators.