SA’s unemployment rate dropped by nearly an entire percentage point in November to the lowest level in 12 years

South Australia’s unemployment rate dropped by almost an entire percentage point in November – the lowest in 12 years.

South Australia’s jobless rate has slumped by almost an entire percentage point in a month to the lowest level in 12 years.

Released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday, SA’s unemployment rate for November was 4.6 per cent – a drop from 5.3 per cent in the month prior.

South Australia’s jobless rate was the worst in the nation in September at 5.1 per cent.

Tasmania now holds the mantle for the worst jobless rate in the nation, with 5.1 per cent of their population without jobs.

The lowest unemployment rates were in Western Australia and the ACT which were both recorded at 3.8 per cent.

SA had the third lowest jobless rate, which was the same as New South Wales.

Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said more than 10,000 jobs had been created in November.

“There are now a record number of people in jobs (884,500), a record number of people in full-time jobs (576,600) and record number of hours worked (118.8 million) as confidence in the South Australian economy reaches an all-time high,” Mr Pisoni said.

He said the number of unemployed people in the state has fallen by 20,000 this year.

“South Australia’s growing prosperity is underpinned by our exceptionally strong performance in handling both the health and economic threats posed by Covid-19,” he said.

The new data revealed seasonally adjusted employment had increased by 2.9 per cent across the country, according to the ABS.

Bjorn Jarvis, head of labour statistics at the ABS, said the latest data showed the extent of recovery between early October and early November in jurisdictions coming out of Delta lockdowns.

“This included the period of relatively rapid recovery in the second half of October that we saw in payroll data,” he said.

Master Builders Association of SA’s chief executive officer Will Frogley said the fall proved the decision to make building and constriction a top priority for government stimulus was correct.

“There are 6034 more South Australians directly employed in our industry than March 2020, and no other sector generates more jobs and economic growth,” Mr Frogley said.

“The whole state is seeing the benefits. A robust industry has also allowed many more young South Australians to start an apprenticeship, the first step to a long and well-paid career.”

The Property Council of Australia’s SA executive director Daniel Gannon said the new data was an early Christmas present for the community.

“When Covid hit last year, there were predictions of double-digit unemployment, a share market in free fall and real estate market that would crash through the floor,” Mr Gannon said.

“Fast forward to today and South Australia’s jobless rate starts with a ‘4’ rather than a ‘10’, which is an unexpected but enviable position for our state.”