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Victorian Regional Unemployment Lowest In The Nation

25 August 2016

Victoria’s regional unemployment rate fell to 5.5 per cent in the three months to July – the lowest in Australia – according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Today’s data showed employment in regional Victoria increased by 7700 during the past three months with full time jobs up by 4600 people in the same period.

Since the Andrews Labor Government was elected in November 2014, there have been 33,000 regional jobs created – contrasting to the 5,500 jobs created in four years under the previous Liberal National Government.

Among the states, regional Victoria recorded the largest increase in full-time employment during the past year in both absolute and percentage terms.

The fall in the regional unemployment was particularly noticeable in the North West , Geelong, Hume, Ballarat, Warrnambool and South West regions.

The latest regional figures come on the back of last week’s ABS data which showed Victoria was leading the nation in total and full-time job creation.

The July national figures confirmed sustained job growth in Victoria, with employment increasing for the sixth consecutive month.

Of the additional 93,000 jobs created across Victoria in the past 12 months, 89,500 have been full-time.

Since the Labor Government was elected in November 2014, the level of total Victorian employment is now 150,400 persons higher, with full-time employment up by 111,900 persons over the same period.

The regional unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent contrasts to the rate of 6.6 per cent at the time the Labor Government was elected.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas

“It’s always pleasing to see a fall in the unemployment rate, but the fact that more people across regional Victoria have jobs today than this time last year, is the most satisfying aspect of today’s ABS data.”

“Victoria has the lowest regional unemployment rate in Australia, and we’re working hard to ensure this trend continues. We're a state of momentum, leading the nation in economic and jobs growth.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan

“Today’s data shows that unemployment continues to decline across regional Victoria – unemployment is down in Ballarat, Geelong, Gippsland, Hume, the north west and the south west.”

“We’re investing in regional Victoria to create job opportunities and drive economic growth right across the state.“

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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