Census data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that, on census night last year, 32.7 per cent of the ACT population worked in public administration and safety, up from 30.1 per cent in 2006. The local retail industry accounted for 7.6 per cent of the ACT employment base, down from 8.7 per cent in 2006.

Nationally, the ''healthcare and social assistance'' industry was the biggest employer. This included doctors, nurses, dentists, physiotherapists, childcare workers and aged care providers. In the ACT, more than 9 per cent of workers were employed in the industry.

Almost 30 per cent of Canberra workers were classed as professional, 19 per cent were clerical or administrative workers, 16 per cent were managers, 10 per cent were technicians or trade workers and 9 per cent were community and personal service workers.

Canberrans had about the same likelihood as other Australians of working more than 40 hours per week. Nationally, about 45 per cent worked more than 40 hours the week before census night, down from 47 per cent in 2006.

The number of ACT residents who had completed postgraduate degrees jumped from about 17,000 in 2006 to 26,000 in 2011.

Society and culture and management and commerce were the most common areas studied. The survey indicated that the proportion of students taking engineering and related technology courses was continuing to decline.

About 32 per cent of ACT residents had moved to the territory in the five years before census night. About 16 per cent migrated from overseas and 19 per cent came from NSW. Peter Jean