Western Australia has the strongest performing jobs market of all states in the nation.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data for December 2020 released today shows the McGowan Government’s safe and strong handling of COVID-19 and our local economy has seen further employment growth in WA.
Underemployment also fell to its lowest level since June 2015 down to 7.7 per cent – with 33,200 fewer people underemployed than when the McGowan Government was elected.
The December data has shown an increase of 5,518 Western Australians in full time employment including 5,166 moving from part time to full time employment.
WA’s unemployment fell from 6.4 per cent in November 2020 to 6.2 per cent – the lowest of all States.
In WA, employment has now increased by 102,056 people since May 2020, when the impact of COVID-19 restrictions peaked. This equates to 98.8 per cent of jobs lost due to the pandemic now being recovered.
Importantly, youth unemployment in WA is the lowest of all States at 13.1 per cent in December 2020. Under the former Liberal National Government, youth unemployment was 15.6 per cent in February 2017.
The national unemployment rate now stands at 6.6 per cent.
The number of employment opportunities in WA is expected to continue to rise, with internet job vacancies for WA reported by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment released yesterday showing job vacancies grew to the highest levels in more than seven years (January 2013).
Job vacancies grew in WA by 2.4 per cent to 19,907 in December 2020, taking vacancies to 21.6 per cent above pre-COVID levels.
In December 2020, quarterly year-ended growth in the number of vacancies in WA was 26.2 per cent, the highest of all jurisdictions, and the strongest quarterly year ended growth for WA since June 2011.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“Western Australia is the best place to live and work.
“Today’s job data shows we have the best performing jobs market of all States due to my Government’s safe and strong management of COVID-19.
“Western Australia is the only State in the country to have now had seven consecutive months of employment growth.
“Leading indicators show only more growth is expected in the coming months, with internet vacancies in WA now up 21.6 per cent on pre-COVID levels.
“Through my Government’s Recovery and Jobs Plan, we are investing in job-creating infrastructure projects, such as METRONET, to ensure Western Australia rebounds from the pandemic stronger than ever.
“Despite the impact of the global pandemic, there are 76,600 more Western Australians employed now than there were under the previous Liberal National Government at the time of the last State Election.”
Premier’s office – 6552 5000
