Primary
Primary industries produce raw materials (for example, fresh fruit or iron ore) from what nature has provided. It is an industry where business production is directly rated to natural resources. Around 60% of Australia’s exports are primary industry products. The main examples of primary industries are farming and mining.
Secondary
Secondary industries are industries that involve turning raw materials (usually from primary industries) into finished or semi-finished products. For example: the steel industry, clothing industry and motors industry.
Tertiary
Tertiary industries are industries that involve producing a service to customers. Due to the advancements in technology, over 75% of all employees are in the tertiary industry. For example: retailers, bankers, lawyers and doctors are all tertiary.
Quaternary
Quaternary industries are industries that involve transferring and processing information and knowledge in a servicing industry. Examples of quaternary industries include: IT, education and telecommunication.
Quinary
Quinary industries are industries which involve domestic services that people can normally perform at home. Often, these are hospitality services or maintenance services. Some examples include: childcare, domestic cleaning, babysitting, hospitality and food service.