South Australia’s jobless rate soars to highest level in 18 months

South Australia’s jobless rate has again soared to 6.3 per cent, the worst figure recorded since June 2017.

• DECEMBER ‘18: 5.9 per cent
• OCTOBER ‘18: 5.4 per cent
• AUGUST ‘18: 5.5 per cent
• Nation’s jobless rate falls to lowest point in eight years

South Australia’s jobless rate has again soared to 6.3 per cent, the highest recorded in 18 months.

The alarming jump comes as the national rate remained at five per cent, down from 5.1 per cent, with the creation of more than 39,100 jobs.

The state’s unemployment rate rose 6.3 per cent, up from 5.9 per cent in December, seasonally adjusted figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show.

It is the highest rate since June 2017 when the jobless rate reached 6.6 per cent.

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The latest figures maintain SA’s position as the third highest rate, behind Western Australia at 6.8 per cent, and Tasmania at 7 per cent.

Master Builders Association of SA chief executive Ian Markos said the state economy has shown tremendous resilience.

“It doesn’t seem that long ago some were predicting a double digit unemployment rate in the wake of Holden’s closure,” Mr Markos said.

“However, Master Builders SA remains concerned about the performance of the housing sector.”