SA records highest unemployment in the nation, after bushfires, as we brace for jobs hit from coronavirus outbreak

South Australia’s unemployment rate has again risen to the highest in the nation, as we recover from bushfire and brace for impacts of a coronavirus-sparked economic slowdown.

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South Australia’s unemployment rate has again risen to the highest in the nation, as we brace for further impacts from a coronavirus-sparked economic slowdown.

With the global and national economies predicted for very tough times, SA has recorded a 5.8 per cent unemployment rate in February.

It comes as three Hindley St nightclubs, the Woolshed, Downtown and Blackbull - announced they were being forced to lay off at least 100 staff as a result of the Federal Government’s coronavirus restrictions on gatherings of more than 100 people.

The figures cover a period before the height of the coronavirus concerns, and predate state and federal stimulus packages.

It also covers a time soon after devastating bushfires in Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Hills.

The seasonally adjusted number of SA rose only 0.1 per cent.

However big improvements in Tasmania, Queensland and WA leave SA with the highest number.

The national unemployment rate is 5.1 per cent, not far below SA.

On the less volatile trend measure, SA’s rate has fallen 0.1 per cent to 5.8 per cent.

NSW continues to lead the nation by a street, with 4.6 per cent seasonally-adjusted unemployment. Second highest behind SA is Queensland at 5.6 per cent.

All states other than NSW are in the five to six per cent band.

On trend terms, 849,000 people are employed in SA. That’s only 100 fewer than

in January, but marks a 6900 job drop since a record high was reached in June last year.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.6 per cent when Premier Steven Marshall won a drought-breaking election in March 2018. It is now 0.2 per cent higher.

Mr Marshall has delivered a $350 million stimulus commitment in response to coronavirus.