30k more Queenslanders out of work but not counted in jobless figures

Nearly 30,000 Queenslanders left the labour force last month, but will not be counted in unemployment figures due to a technicality.

Nearly 30,000 Queenslanders fell out of employment last month and gave up looking for work amid the state’s most recent Covid-19 lockdown.

The latest job figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed Queensland’s unemployment rate rose just 0.1 percentage point to 5.3 per cent.

But 29,800 people fell out of employment, with 27,180 people leaving the labour force altogether, meaning they were not counted toward the unemployment figure as they were not looking for work.

“Throughout the pandemic we have seen large falls in participation during lockdowns — a pattern repeated over the past few months,” ABS head of labour statistics Bjorn Jarvis said.

“Beyond people losing their jobs, we have seen unemployed people drop out of the labour force, given how difficult it is to actively look for work and be available for work during lockdowns.”

The latest data covered the first two weeks of August, which included the continued lockdown in NSW and new lockdowns in Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.

Federal Employment Minister Stuart Robert

Queensland was one of the jurisdictions that experienced a large drop (-5.3 per cent) in hours worked, alongside Victoria (-3.4 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (-2.5 per cent).

Mr Jarvis said this provided the “best indicator” of the impact lockdowns had on the labour market and highlighted the extent to which “people who experienced new or continuing lockdowns had reduced hours or no work, without necessarily losing their jobs.”

Federal Employment Minister Stuart Robert said the labour force data reinforced the importance of sticking with Australia’s nationally agreed road map out of the pandemic.

“The figures released today reflect the negative impact that the Covid-19 pandemic is having on global and domestic economic growth in the short term,” he said.

“They underscore while Australia’s underlying economy remains sound, the lockdowns and lockouts are having an impact.

“The Government will continue to provide support for all states and territories, with temporary, targeted and proportionate economic and labour market assistance, specifically tailored to helping Australians navigate their way through the pandemic.

“Crucially, this will help to maintain the connection between employers and employees and, in doing so, will support the economic and labour market recovery once restrictions are eased.”