WA records lowest unemployment rate in Australia

11/4/96

Western Australia has recorded the lowest unemployment rate in Australia.  The State's unemployment level has fallen to 7.7 per cent from 7.9 per cent while nationally the rate has risen slightly to 8.5 per cent.

Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore said the other good news for WA was that youth unemployment had fallen to the lowest March figure in six years.

"Youth unemployment has dropped to 20.4 per cent from 21.7 per cent.  The national figure is 27.8 per cent," Mr Moore said.

"Our youth unemployment is the lowest in the nation and almost 7.5 per cent below the national average.

"The number of unemployed teenagers fell by 800 to 8,400 with the number of first time job-seekers declining by over 30 per cent.

"The number of unemployed persons in the State declined by 2,200 over the month."

Mr Moore said that since the Coalition Government came into office, the number of Western Australians with jobs had risen to more than 833,000 - an increase of 92,500.

Labour Force Survey estimates showed that the fastest-growing industries over the past year had been communications, cultural and recreation services and retail trade.

While pleased with the figure, Mr Moore said the Coalition Government would continue to focus on creating a skilled workforce through education and training and fostering a business climate that expanded the number and range of jobs for the people of WA.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444