Unemployment up to 6 per cent
The unemployment rate has pushed up to 6 per cent after a fall in the number of people with full time work.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported today that unemployment lifted in June to its highest point since February.
It was driven by a 3800 fall in full time employment nationally. At the same time part time employment jumped by 19,700.
Total unemployment increased by 20,300 to 741,700.
The increase was largely in line with economists’ expectations.
In WA, the unemployment rate was steady at 5 per cent but there continue to be clear signs of the slowdown of the mining sector on the State’s jobs market.
Total full time employment edged down by 4600 but it was offset by a 9800 jump in part time employment.
However, the more stable trend series shows full time employment for both men and women have been heading down by several months.
The total number of people out of work in the State is now at 71,700, the highest level since January.
Elsewhere, unemployment was steady in NSW at 5.7 per cent and in the ACT at 3.6 per cent.
But it increased in Victoria (to 6.5 per cent), Queensland (to 6.3 per cent), South Australia (to 7.4 per cent) and the Northern Territory (to 3.9 per cent).
It fell in Tasmania to 7.2 per cent.
