The oil and gas sector had the highest profit margin of any industry in 2024-25

Each year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) puts out its ‘Australian Industry’ figures, providing a detailed snapshot of how different sectors of the economy are performing. The data shows how much each industry makes in sales, spends in wages, and earns in profit.

This year’s figures cover the 2024-25 financial year. And the sector with the highest profits margin (by a sizeable margin) was the oil and gas sector.

Oil and gas extraction has a profit margin of 42.1% – well above the economy average of 12%.

Coming in second was metal ore mining, followed by property operators and real estate services, and then private medical & other health care services:

So, it’s interesting that when you think about what five sectors carry the most political heft, these five spring right to the top.

Four of the sectors (private health is the exception, which does need to actually employ people to care for patients) are also largely light on for workers.

The average sector across the economy makes around $7 profit for every $10 spent on wages and salaries. Meanwhile, the oil and gas sector makes $94 profit for every $10 spent on wages.