Economic Trends – WA Compared to Nationally

16 November, 2009

Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.7 per cent to 5.0 per cent between September and October 2009. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 12.9 per cent or 9,000 between September and October, while the state’s labour force decreased by 100 persons. The WA unemployment rate stood at 2.3 per cent a year previously.

Nationally, the unemployment rate increased from 5.7 per cent to 5.8 per cent between September and October 2009. The number of unemployed persons increased by 1.7 per cent or 11,100 between September and October, while the national labour force increased by 0.3 per cent or 35,600. The national unemployment rate stood at 4.4 per cent a year previously.

Employment in WA increased by 0.8 per cent or 8,900 between September and October 2009 to 1.16 million. Employment is down by 1.9 per cent or 22,000 over the year to October, with full-time employment down by 4.7 per cent over this period while part-time employment is up by 5.7 per cent.

National employment increased by 0.23 per cent or 24,500 between September and October 2009 to 10.8 million. Employment is up by 0.2 per cent or 17,100 over the year to October, with full-time employment down by 1.7 per cent over this period while part-time employment is up by 4.8 per cent.