ABS data released today has revealed an additional 11,400 Western Australians gained employment in November, as the McGowan Labor Government's Recovery and Jobs Plan continues drive the State's recovery.
The increase equates to a further 0.8 per cent rise in employment, the second strongest growth of any State, and only behind Victoria, which continued to recover from a second wave of COVID-19.
Significantly, the rise in employment was entirely due to an increase in full-time employment, which rose by 13,400 in November, while the number of people working part-time declined by 2,000.
In WA, employment has now increased by 101,700 people since May 2020, when the impact of COVID-19 restrictions peaked. This equates to 98.5 per cent of the loss of employment due to the pandemic now being recovered.
The unemployment rate continues to fall, down to 6.4 per cent in November, compared to 6.6 per cent in October. This is the second lowest rate behind only South Australia, where the unemployment fell to 6.2 per cent given a significant number of people exiting in the workforce.
Nationally, employment rose by 90,000 in November, with the largest driver the continued recovery in Victoria. The national unemployment rate fell to 6.8 per cent in November, from 7 per cent in October.
Encouraged by opportunities in the Western Australian jobs market, including job vacancies at the highest in almost eight years in October, more people have entered the Western Australian labour force. The participation rate rose to 68.7 per cent, the highest in two years.
Underemployment in WA fell to 7.9 per cent in November (from 8.4 per cent) and is now at the lowest level in more than five years. Aggregate hours worked rose 3.3 per cent and has recovered to exceed pre-COVID levels.
The strong labour market data for November aligns with projections that WA is forecast to experience the strongest economic and employment growth this financial year, while most other states expect contraction.
As stated by Treasurer Ben Wyatt:
"This data shows our WA Recovery and Jobs Plan is working and keeping WA strong.
"Western Australia's jobs market continues to go from strength to strength, with employment, unemployment and underemployment all moving in the right direction.
"The strong data highlights the economic opportunities in WA with job vacancies data at close to eight-year highs.
"This aligns with the fact that WA's economic recovery is leading the nation, with employment and economic growth predicted to be the strongest of States this year, while most other State economies are expected to contract.
"Despite the impacts of a global pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, more than 76,000 Western Australians have gained employment under the McGowan Government.
"This highlights the McGowan Government's determination to keep Western Australians safe and our economy strong."
