Jobs Boost As Regional Unemployment Hits Record Low

Employment in Victoria’s regions continues to boom with the regional unemployment rate falling even further in the three months to November, to just 4.4 per cent – the equal lowest rate on record.

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today shows Victoria’s regional unemployment rate is now the lowest in the nation – 0.6 percentage points below the national average of 5.1 per cent.

A total of 12,200 new jobs were created in the three months to November in Victoria’s regional areas – more than anywhere else in Australia.

By comparison, employment throughout the rest of regional Australia fell during the same period.

The regional areas with the most employment growth in the three months to November were Latrobe-Gippsland, Geelong and Hume.

During the first term of the Andrews Labor Government, almost a quarter of all regional jobs created in the nation were in regional Victoria.

Under the previous Liberal government, regional unemployment rose to 6.6 per cent and full-time employment dropped by 14,100 jobs.

Statewide a total of nearly 427,000 jobs were created by the Labor Government during its first term – with nearly 300,000 of these full-time roles.

As noted by Treasurer Tim Pallas

“More jobs in regional Victoria means stronger communities and more choice for locals, who aren’t forced to move to Melbourne in search of work.”

“The Andrews Labor Government’s record investment in regional Victoria – in transport, hospitals, schools and other vital services – is delivering services and jobs for our local rural towns and cities.”

As noted by Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula

“Four years ago, we said we’d get Victorians back to work no matter where they live – and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

“Today’s figures show sustained job growth, supported by our record investments throughout regional Victoria, benefitting all Victorians.”

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