Unemployment Rate

Description

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, through its Economic and Labour Market Analysis Branch, Labour Market Strategies Group, publishes reports containing unemployment estimates for small area labour markets. The information shows the numbers of persons unemployed and the rate of unemployment this reflects (as a percentage of the total labour force). Estimates are derived from three primary data sources: Centrelink data (recipients of Newstart or Youth Allowance by postcode), Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey data (regional level) and 2001 Census labour force participation figures (statistical local areas).

Quality and Applicability

Unemployment estimates produced by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations are the official figures for the Australian population and are used to tender out employment services under Job Network.

These estimates are the best figures to use if you want to find out about the numbers and rates of those looking for work in a given area. Unemployment data are an important indictor of socio-economic status as they reveal the numbers and rates of persons within the population looking for work. Unemployment data can be used in conjunction with other information to gain a picture of disadvantage, such as the Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvatage and benefits and pensions.

Coverage

Unemployment estimates are available for statistical local areas. Due to both the methodology used and the significantly higher variability for data disaggregated below the statistical local area level, it is not possible to reliably estimate unemployment by sex or age.

Reference Date

Unemployment estimates refer to the most recent quarter available.

Release Date

Unemployment estimates are released quarterly.

Access

Unemployment estimates are contained in report Small Area Labour Markets for Australia Table 3 (statistical local areas).

Cost and Format

Unemployment estimates are downloadable free of charge in PDF format.

More Information

For further information, telephone the Labour Market Analysis Section on (02) 6121 6198 or write to Labour Market Analysis Section – 12M63, Economic and Labour Market Analysis Branch, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, GPO Box 9879 Canberra ACT 2601.

Additional Data Source(s)

Unemployment rates are available through the Victorian Local Governance Association online library of social statistics.