SA’s unemployment rate rises slightly to 5.1 per cent for September 2021, again the worst in the nation

SA’s unemployment rate is again the worst in the nation after a slight rise.

South Australia is now the only state with a jobless rate above 5 per cent, reclaiming the unwanted mantle of the nation’s worst unemployment figures.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data released on Thursday show SA’s jobless rate for the month of September was 5.1 per cent – higher than any other state or territory.

It is a very slight increase from 5 per cent recorded the month before.

Queensland on Thursday recorded the next highest unemployment rate at 4.9 per cent then Victoria at 4.8 per cent.

The national average rose slightly to 4.6 per cent.

SA’s participation rate – measuring the number of adults either employed or seeking work – remained the same at 63 per cent.

The national participation rate fell 0.7 per cent to 64.5 per cent, which was the third consecutive monthly decline from the near historic high of 66.2 per cent in June.

Opposition treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan criticised the state government for “failing” to reap the benefits of SA’s “low-Covid environment”.

“It beggars belief that the states in lockdown – NSW and Victoria – are performing better than SA when it comes to jobs,” he said.

“The divided Marshall Liberal government is more focused on itself than South Australians.”

Mr Mullighan accused the Liberals of not making the most of SA’s mostly Covid-free status.

Innovation and skills Minister David Pisoni said SA recorded an increase in the total number of hours worked.

Innovation and skills Minister David Pisoni said the data released on Thursday showed SA had an increase in the number of total hours worked for September, and the second highest number of people in full-time work on record.

“With South Australian employers having 18,000 job vacancies and the (state government) embarking on a massive recruitment drive for health workers, there are great opportunities across the state,” he said.

“The growth in jobs since the depth of the Covid shock highlights the importance of SA avoiding the extended economic shutdowns that have wreaked havoc in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT.”

Mr Pisoni pointed to the latest Deloitte Access business report, which showed SA had the “second largest relative growth in employment”.

The state’s unemployment rate dropped to the lowest point in more than a decade in August, plunging well below 5 per cent.

No other state had a monthly reduction as significant as SA in last month’s figures. But last month, the jobless rate rose back to the 5 per cent mark.

There had been hopes SA could keep its jobless rate below 5 per cent, triggering local wage growth.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in the 2021-22 federal budget ruled out any wage rises until unemployment dropped below 5 per cent nationally.

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