Key Message
All indicators continue to point towards a healthy labour market. The unemployment rate steadily decreased over the second half of 2013 and the labour force participation rate is at a near historical high, 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.
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 Research and Strategy, 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 December 2013, the Territory’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.2percentage points to 4.2%, from a revised 4.4% in the previous month. The Territory’s unemployment rate has decreased for five consecutive months.
· The Territory unemployment rate was second lowest of the jurisdictions behind the Australian Capital Territory (4.0%).
· Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.8% in the month from the previous month’s revised figure.
Employment
Source: ABS Cat No 6202.0
· In December 2013, there were 130300 persons employed in the Territory, an increase of 500 persons from the previous month’s revised figure.
· The increase in employment in the Territory in December 2013 was driven by a rise in fulltime employment, which increased by 200 to 105600 persons and an increase in part-time employment by 300 to 24700 persons.
· Nationally, employment was relatively unchanged at 11636600 persons in December2013.
· Full-time employment decreased by 8600 to 8080900 persons and part-time employment increased by 8000 to 3555 600 persons.
Participation Rate
Source: ABS Cat No 6202.0
· In December 2013, the Territory’s labour force participation rate was unchanged at 75.1%.
· The Territory has the highest participation rate in Australia (75.1%), followed by the Australian Capital Territory (70.9%) and Western Australia (68.0%).
· Nationally, the labour force participation rate was unchanged at 64.7% 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 December 2013, the Territory’s labour force increased by 0.1% to 136000 persons.
· Nationally the labour force was unchanged at 12352600 persons.
· 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 0.6% in December 2013, the fifth consecutive monthly increase.
· Newspaper job ads also increased in Western Australia (1.2%) and New South Wales(0.6%) during the month and decreased in Victoria(2.4%), Queensland(2.9%), South Australia (2.8%), Tasmania (1.7%) and the Australian Capital Territory (4.9%) in the month.
· Compared to the same period last year, newspaper job ads in the Territory decreased by 8.7%, with all other jurisdictions also recording declines, ranging from a 46.3% fall in the Australian Capital Territory to a 15.7% decline in New South Wales.
Apprentices and Trainees
Source: Department of Business
· Between January and October 2013, there were 2110 apprentice and trainee commencements, a decrease of 663 compared to the same period last year.
· Between January and October 2013, there were 804 apprentice and trainee completions, a decrease of 110 compared to the same period last year.
· As at 31 October 2013, there were 3928 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. Further, a recent change in Commonwealth incentive payments for apprentices and trainees has noticeably reduced commencements.
Internet Job Vacancies (November)
Source: Department of Employment (Australian Government)
· In the Territory, total internet job vacancies increased by 0.7% in November 2013, with increases in machinery operators and drivers, professionals, technicians and trade workers, and labourers.
· In November 2013, internet job vacancies decreased for managers, clerical and administrative workers, sales workers, and community and personal service workers.
· Growth in the number of internet job vacancies in regional areas of the Territory performed better than Darwin for all occupations except for sales workers.
· Overall, internet job vacancies in regional areas of the Territory have outperformed Darwin over the past two consecutive months.
Chart 2: Northern Territory Job Vacancies
Source: Department of Employment (Australian Government)
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 Research and Strategy, 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