This briefing paper shows that since 2001 Broome has had a growing, and diverse economic base. The 2006-2011 data in particular suggests that Broome has a number of industry sectors which are growing and are important industries and thus are specialised activities, giving Broome a competitive and comparative advantage. Several of these are large employers thus contributing to the economic base of Broome. Over the 10 year period, the highest employing industries increased to include healthcare and social services, in addition to accommodation and food services and education and training. The only sector to lose jobs in Broome, relative to the Western Australian benchmark was information, media and telecommunications. Of relevance for the diversification of the local economy, the data showed that the smaller industries grew more quickly over the periods than the established industries, suggesting that during the resources boom, the competitive advantage was being spread across a diverse range of industries in the Broome economy, thus contributing to economic resilience.

In the 2001-2006 period, Broome had comparative advantage in the following sectors:  Agriculture  Accommodation & food services  Rental, hiring & real estate services  Public administration & safety  Mining  Education and training  Construction  Electricity, gas, water & waste services  Transport, postal & warehousing  Other services  Industries inadequately stated In the same period, Broome had competitive advantage in the following sectors:  Accommodation & food services  Construction  Transport, postal & warehousing Agriculture  Rental, hiring & real estate services  Mining  Electricity, gas, water & waste services, and  Industries inadequately described

In the 2006-2011 period, Broome had comparative advantage in the following sectors:  Agriculture  Accommodation & food services  Administrative & support services  Rental, hiring & real estate services  Public administration & safety  Mining  Arts & recreation services  Health care & social assistance  Education & training  Construction  Electricity, gas, water & waste services  Transport, postal & warehousing  Industries inadequately described In the same period, Broome had competitive advantage in the following sectors:  Accommodation & food services  Construction  Transport, postal & warehousing  Agriculture  Rental, hiring & real estate services  Mining  Arts & recreation services