Australian work settings are found in three different areas:
Each has a slightly different focus in the services it provides.
Government sector
This sector performs essential services through operations that are not set up for commercial profit. It is funded with money set aside by local, state or territory and Australian governments.
Each level of government runs different parts of the sector.
Local government is in charge of:
- Local council
- Council workers: town planning, office and clerical work, street cleaning, maintenance of local parks and footpaths, garbage collection, recycling
State government is in charge of:
- State parliament
- Government departments (public servants)
- State judiciary (judges, barristers, solicitors, court officers)
- Police
- Teachers, school assistants, principals
- Registered nurses, some doctors, enrolled nurses
- Public transport: bus, tram and train drivers
- Parks and wildlife officers
The Australian government is in charge of:
- Federal parliament
- Government departments (public servants)
- Federal judiciary (judges, barristers, solicitors, court officers)
- Military/defence (army, navy and air force personnel, intelligence officers)
Statutory authorities
Statutory authorities are created by an Act of Parliament. They are often funded by, and report to, government. They have decision-making powers, but are not government departments.
Examples of statutory authorities include:
- the Australian Heritage Commission
- state National Parks and Wildlife services
- Conservation and Land Management Act statutory bodies
- the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
- the National Crime Authority.
Private sector
The private sector is commercial in nature. Private business enterprises of all types provide goods and services for profit. These enterprises range from small, single owner businesses to large companies employing hundreds of workers.
All Australian industries are private enterprises, except those that are part of government, such as defence. However, private businesses often tender for work in the government sector.
Workplaces in the private sector include:
- banks and credit unions
- building sites
- cinemas and theatres
- factories
- farms, vineyards and gardens
- gyms and recreation centres
- hotels and motels
- laboratories
- offices
- private hospitals
- private schools
- pubs and clubs
- repair shops
- restaurants and cafes
- shops and supermarkets
- studios and galleries
- trucking companies, bus lines, airlines and shipping lines
- veterinary practices
- warehouses.
Community sector
This sector consists of:
- not-for-profit services funded by governments and/or public donations
- specific interest groups funded by member subscriptions and services.
These organisations provide services not covered by the government sector. They are usually focused on particular issues and community needs such as:
- support for Indigenous people
- aged care
- animal welfare
- children
- conservation and environment
- health and medical treatments: drug and alcohol addiction services, emergency services, health promotion, hospitals, major disease charities, mental illness services, medical research
- humanitarian aid
- migrant assistance
- overseas aid
- services for people with disabilities
- women’s services
- youth support.
Many of these organisations are set up as charities. Fund raising is often a major activity for them.
Some examples of community sector groups are:
- Red Cross
- Society of St Vincent de Paul
- The Salvation Army
- Rotary International
- Lions Club
- Amnesty International
- RSPCA
- World Wildlife Fund
- Community Aid Abroad
- World Vision
- Greenpeace
- The Wilderness Society.
Careers within the community sector can be either voluntary or paid.