Unemployment rates lowest of any State

7/12/95

Almost an extra 3,500 Western Australians found jobs last month, keeping the State's unemployment figures to the lowest of any State at 7.7 per cent and well below the national average of 8.6 per cent.

An extra 7,000 workers entered the State's workforce pushing the participation rate up to 66.7 per cent - the highest of any State and significantly above the country's average of 64.2 per cent. 

This has resulted in a 0.4 of a percentage point increase in WA's unemployment rate.

WA's youth unemployment rate continues to be the lowest of any State.

Youth unemployment rose nationally by almost three per cent to 28.5 per cent; in comparison, WA's rate increased two per cent to 21.4 per cent due to young people taking time off work to study for exams.

Overall, the State's employment has grown strongly over the year with an additional 24,400 Western Australians finding employment. 

There are a total of 832,800 people employed in WA.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444