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The analysis showed that the stock of Human Resources in Science and Technology (HRST) increased from 15% of the population aged 15 years and over in 1991 to 18% in 1996 (2.0 million to 2.5 million). The proportion with S&T qualifications (HRSTQ) increased from 11% in 1991 to 14% in 1996. The proportion who were employed in S&T occupations (HRSTO) increased from 10% in 1991 to 12% in 1996. The proportion who were both employed in an S&T occupation and had S&T qualifications (HRSTC) increased from 6% in 1991 to 7% in 1996. By State and Territory, HRST as a proportion of population ranged from 15% to 19%, with the exception of the ACT where the proportion was 34%. HRST as a proportion of the population in major urban centers was 21%, which was higher than in other urban (13%) and other localities (14%).
The types of qualifications held by persons in S&T in 1996 were Bachelor degrees (56%), Undergraduate diplomas (25%), Higher degrees (10%) and Postgraduate diplomas (9%). Of the persons with S&T qualifications in 1996, the most popular fields of study were Society and Culture, Education and Health accounting for 21%, 20% and 19% respectively.
Persons in HRSTO in 1996 were mainly employed in Education, Health and Community services and Property and Business services, accounting for 23%, 20% and 17% of HRSTO respectively. Manufacturing accounted for 8% and Mining 1%. The industries with the highest proportion of their employment in S&T occupations were also Education (69%), Health and community services (44%) and Property and business services (36%). Of the persons in HRSTO in 1996, 64% had S&T qualifications while 69% of professionals had S&T qualifications. Only 42% of Specialist managers had such qualifications.
Of the stock of HRST in 1996, 50% of persons were aged 35-54, compared with only 32% of the non-HRST population. Females accounted for 50% of the stock of HRST in both 1991 and 1996, while their share of the population 15 years and over remained stable at 51%. The proportion of females in HRSTO increased from 45% in 1991 to 47% in 1996, while the proportion of females in HRSTQ remained stable at 54%.
Persons with S&T qualifications and employed in a S&T occupation in 1996 earned $47,000 on average, compared with $36,000 earned by persons with S&T qualifications employed in other occupations and $39,000 earned by persons in S&T occupations without S&T qualifications. Of the persons in S&T occupations in 1996, Specialist managers and Computing professionals earned the highest average annual incomes ($56,000 and $51,000 respectively).
For persons with S&T qualifications the unemployment rate was 4% at August 1996, compared with 10% for persons without S&T qualifications. For persons with S&T qualifications the participation rate (persons in the labor force as a proportion of the population aged 15 years and over) was 82% at August 1996, compared with 57% for persons without S&T qualifications.
Approximately 241,000 persons in HRSTO in February 1998 had changed their jobs in the preceding 12 months. The proportion who had changed their jobs was similar across all occupations (around 14%). On average, persons in HRSTO had been in their current job for longer than persons in other occupations.
Australia's HRST as a proportion of its population ranked fourth in comparison with nine European countries for which similar data are available. Gross Expenditure on Research and Development as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product (a recognized indicator of S&T activity) in 1996 shows a similar ranking for Australia relative to the same countries.