Western Australian's economy continues to defy the impacts of COVID-19 experienced elsewhere in the nation, with new jobs data today showing WA's unemployment rate is the lowest in the country and at its lowest since December 2008.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force for March showed WA's unemployment rate fell to 3.4 per cent, from 4.1 per cent in February - the lowest of all the States and well below the national unemployment rate at 4 per cent.
Employment grew by 0.5 percent in March, the strongest growth of the States, with an additional 7,620 Western Australians gaining employment. Growth in employment accounted for more than 40 per cent of national employment during the month.
The total number of employed people in WA hit a record high of more than 1.46 million in March, including full-time employment of 990,413. Female employment also achieved the highest level on record.
As stated by Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan:
"The March jobs data is proof of the strength of the WA economy and the resilience of Western Australian businesses.
"By safely and sensibly managing the COVID-19 pandemic, and investing heavily in diversifying the State economy, quality WA jobs have been created and our economy is going from strength to strength.
"When national commentators talk about the strength of the national economy, that strength comes from WA.
"More than 40 per cent of all Australian jobs created in March were created here in WA.
"When Labor Governments put local jobs first, it means a stronger economy for everyone.
"My Government has added more than 160,000 jobs in WA since March 2017."
