South Australia’s jobless rate rises in August to 5 per cent

South Australia’s unemployment rate has risen slightly, up from its lowest rate since 2010. But at least we’re not the worst in the nation anymore.

South Australia’s unemployment rate has risen to 5 per cent, making it the third-highest in the nation.

However, the result is still much lower than the 7.1 per cent jobless rate SA recorded in January.

And it is 2.7 percentage points below the level at the same time last year.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Thursday show the state’s jobless rate in August increased to 5 per cent, up from 4.7 per cent the previous month.

July’s unemployment rate, released in August, reached its lowest level since 2010.

July’s result was a welcome relief after SA recorded the highest jobless rate in the nation during the prior two months.

Latest figures show Tasmania now has the worst employment rate in Australia (5.5 per cent), followed by Queensland at 5.3 per cent.

The Northern Territory has the lowest rate at 3.4 per cent.

The statistics revealed there were 874,100 employed people in SA in August, 3100 fewer than in July.

But the number of people now in full-time work has reached a record high, with 3900 jobs created in August, bringing SA’s total number of full-time workers to 569,500.

Youth unemployment dropped to 9.2 per cent, representing a 12-year low and a full percentage point below the national average.

Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni said underemployment fell again, with more people working longer hours “as the economy continues to defy the impact of the (Covid-19) pandemic”.

“South Australia’s performance in hours worked contrasts sharply with the eastern states, with NSW suffering a 6.5 per cent decline in hours worked, Queensland slipping 5.3 per cent and Victoria recording a 3.4 per cent decline,” he said.

Mr Pisoni said the employment data was “great news” for South Australians thinking of buying a house, opening a business or looking to get a bank loan.

The state’s participation rate stands at 62.9 per cent, the same as the previous month. NT has the highest participation rate at 70.7 per cent while Tasmania has the lowest at 61.7 per cent.

SA had the highest jobless rate during the first three months of the year – 7.1 per cent in January, 6.8 per cent in February and 6.3 per cent in March.