Key Message
All indicators point towards a healthy labour market. Even though the unemployment rate has been rising over the past year, the labour force participation rate is at near historically high levels, meaning that more people are gaining jobs and making themselves available for work. The Territory boasts one of the strongest jobs markets in Australia and the number of employed persons is at a record high. Increased job vacancy numbers indicate further increases in employment in the short term.
Notes
All data referred to in the brief are in trend terms, except for the apprentice and trainee data, which are in original terms.
For information on the data sources used and a glossary of labour market terms please see Labour Market Terms and Information.
Data Sources
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Catalogue Number 6202.0
ANZ Banking Corporation Limited, Job Advertisement Series
Department of Employment, Vacancy Report
Department of Business
Enquiries
Employment and Training NT, Department of Business
Email:
Disclaimer
The Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty of assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this publication, or that it is suitable for your intended use. You should not rely upon information in this publication for the purpose of making any serious business or investment decisions without obtaining independent, professional advice in relation to your particular situation.
Department of Business
Unemployment Rate
Source: ABS Cat No 6202.0
· In October 2013, the Territory’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.3%. The Territory’s unemployment rate has remained at 5.3% since July2013, but has been rising steadily over the past year.
· The Territory unemployment rate was third lowest of the jurisdictions behind the Australian Capital Territory (4.4%) and Western Australia (4.5%).
· Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.8% from the previous month’s revised figure.
Employment
Source: ABS Cat No 6202.0
· In October 2013, there were 128300 persons employed in the Territory, an increase of 200 from the previous month’s revised figure.
· The increase in employment in the Territory in October 2013 was driven by a rise in fulltime employment, which increased by 600 to 105000 persons while part-time employment decreased by 400 to 23300 persons.
· Nationally, employment was relatively unchanged at 11636600 persons in October2013.
· Full-time employment decreased by 8100 to 8107900 persons and part-time employment increased by 4000 to 3528 700 persons.
Participation Rate
Source: ABS Cat No 6202.0
· In October 2013, the Territory’s labour force participation rate was unchanged at 75.0% from the previous month.
· The Territory has the highest participation rate in Australia (75.0%), followed by the Australian Capital Territory (71.4%) and Western Australia (67.9%).
· Nationally, the labour force participation rate decreased by 0.1 of a percentage point to 64.8% from the previous month’s revised figure.
Chart 1: Unemployment and Participation Rates
Source: ABS Cat No 6202.0
Labour Force
Source: ABS Cat No 6202.0
· In October 2013, the Territory’s labour force increased by 0.1% to 135500 persons.
· Nationally the labour force was unchanged at 12346600.
· The Territory’s labour force has been increasing steadily over the past year, reflecting a growing civilian population and increasing confidence in the Territory economy.
ANZ Newspaper Job Advertisements
Source: ANZ Job Advertisement Series
· ANZ newspaper job ads in the Territory increased by 2.9% in October 2013, the third consecutive monthly increase.
· Newspaper job ads decreased in every other jurisdiction during the month except for Tasmania and NSW, which increased by 1.1% and 0.2% respectively in the month.
· Compared to the same period last year, newspaper job ads in the Territory decreased by 0.7%, with all other jurisdictions also recording declines, ranging from a 48.7% fall in Victoria to a 12.4% decline in Tasmania.
Apprentices and Trainees
Source: Department of Business
· Between January and September 2013, there were 1997 apprentice and trainee commencements, a decrease of 599 compared to the same period last year.
· Between January and September 2013, there were 764 apprentice and trainee completions, a decrease of 40 compared to the same period last year.
· As at 30 September 2013, there were 3915 apprentices and trainees in training.
· Training commencements have a natural lag in contracts being registered (up to 6 months after the commencement date) and are subject to future revisions. Changes in Commonwealth incentive payments in mid-2012 appear to be impacting on apprentice and trainee commencements.
Internet Job Vacancies (September)
Source: Department of Employment
· In the Territory, internet job vacancies increased by 0.9% in September 2013, mainly due to rising job vacancies in Darwin, which increased by 6.6%, as well as increasing vacancies in regional areas, which rose by 2.4% in the month.
· The largest increase in internet job vacancies was for professionals (3.5%), while community and personal service workers rose by 0.9%, and clerical and administrative workers by 0.2%.
· All other occupations decreased in the month except sales workers which reported no change.
· The number of internet job vacancies in regional areas of the Territory increased at lower rates for every major occupation group compared to Darwin except for technicians and trade workers.
· The larger decrease in internet job vacancies in regional areas of the Territory may reflect a weaker labour market compared to Darwin.
Chart 2: Northern Territory Job Vacancies
Source: Department of Employment
Notes
All data referred to in the brief are in trend terms, except for the apprentice and trainee data, which are in original terms.
For information on the data sources used and a glossary of labour market terms please see Labour Market Terms and Information.
Data Sources
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Catalogue Number 6202.0
ANZ Banking Corporation Limited, Job Advertisement Series
Department of Employment, Vacancy Report
Department of Business
Enquiries
Employment and Training NT, Department of Business
Email:
Disclaimer
The Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty of assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this publication, or that it is suitable for your intended use. You should not rely upon information in this publication for the purpose of making any serious business or investment decisions without obtaining independent, professional advice in relation to your particular situation.
Department of Business