November employment figures reflect a strong increase in full-time jobs

11/12/97

Employment in Western Australia increased during November by an extra 3,700 jobs, bringing the total number of people in work in the State to 869,400.

Employment and Training Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the increase reflected a strong gain in full-time employment during the month.

"Over the last 12 months, nearly one in every five jobs created in the nation were in WA," Mrs Edwardes said.

"This represents the creation of an additional 25,100 jobs in WA over the past year and is the fastest job growth in the nation."

WA's unemployment rate for November rose slightly to 6.9 per cent, up from 6.5 per cent in October. Nationally the unemployment rate was 8.4 per cent, unchanged from the previous month.

"The increase in WA was partially due to a significant number of people returning to the labour force," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Despite the increase in the unemployment rate there are now 5,300 fewer Western Australians unemployed than at the same time last year.

"In WA the proportion of population in the labour force remains the highest of all States, with the participation rate standing at 66.0 per cent."

WA's youth unemployment rate for November followed historical patterns and increased to 21.5 per cent for November. Despite this increase, the State's teenage unemployment rate was well below that of other States and the national level of 27.4 per cent.

Since the Coalition Government came into office, 128,600 jobs have been created in the State.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 9421 7777