Fact Sheet
The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry specialises in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities for others in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. The major product sold by this industry is specialist professional expertise. It is rare for materials or equipment to be provided.
Specific services provided include legal advice and representation; accounting services; architectural, engineering, and design services; computer system design; consulting services; scientific research services; advertising services; photographic services; translation and interpretation services; veterinary services; and a range of other professional, scientific, and technical services.
While activities of this sector are significant in their own right, they also contribute to the development and innovation that occurs in other industry sectors through breakthrough research and ongoing process and product innovation. This in turn adds value to other businesses and individuals outside of this sector.
Career paths in this industry vary markedly according to the specific area of professional activity and a common factor is that education and training levels are very high in comparison to other industry sectors.
The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry division is the seventh largest employer in Australia. Based on the 2006 Census, there were 602,018 people employed in the industry. Of these, 431,642 were working full-time, with another 144,698 in part-time positions.