Employment in WA remains at a record high

12/9/96

Employment in Western Australia remains at a record high, with 851,100 people employed in the State.

Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore said Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released today showed that 6,700 extra Western Australians were employed in August.

Mr Moore said WA's unemployment rate of 7.7 was the lowest of any State and more than one percentage point lower than the national rate of 8.8 per cent, despite a slight rise of point one (0.1) of a percentage point.

The unemployment rate rose in every state except Tasmania.

The Minister said that the marginal increase was due to WA having the highest participation rate of any State.

"WA's participation rate has risen to 67 per cent, meaning there are 922,500 people in the labour force - the highest number ever in the State's history," he said.

"The national rate is 63.9 per cent.

"WA has the highest participation rate of any State.

"There is also good news on the youth unemployment front as WA continues to have the lowest rate of any State, despite a slight increase to 21.1 per cent from 20.4 per cent."

The national rate rose from 23.7 per cent to 27.2 per cent.

"WA's youth unemployment is still significantly below the national average and the WA Government is working hard to ensure continues to decrease by supporting a range of employment programs."

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444 or 222 9595