The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) research reveals that Western Australia’s economy continues to defy the impacts of COVID-19 experienced elsewhere in the nation.
New jobs data reveals the State’s unemployment rate is the lowest among the States and at its lowest since December 2008.
Premier and Treasurer, Mark McGowan said the ABS’s labour force data for March showed WA’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4 per cent, from 4.1 per cent in February.
“This was the lowest of all the States and well below the national unemployment rate of four per cent,” Mr McGowan said.
“Employment grew by 0.5 per cent in March, the strongest growth of the States, with an additional 7,620 Western Australians gaining employment,” he said.
“Growth in employment accounted for more than 40 per cent of national employment during the month.”
Mr McGowan said 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.
The Premier said female employment also achieved the highest level on record.
“This data is proof of the strength of the economy and the resilience of Western Australian businesses,” he said.
“When national commentators talk about the strength of the national economy, that strength comes from WA.”
Mr McGowan said more than 40 per cent of all Australian jobs created in March were created in the State.
