Unemployment in the Mandurah region rocketed up 11.1 percentage points in five months, making it the highest in Australia.
Unemployment in the Mandurah region rocketed up 11.1 percentage points in five months, making it the highest in Australia.
A total of 18 per cent of the labour force around Mandurah is unemployed, according to an analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data by CommSec released today.
That compared to just 6.9 per cent in February, and is more than double the state’s 8.3 per cent rate.
The Mandurah statistical region stretches from Madora Bay to Herron, and inland past Pinjarra.
Perth’s South West also featured in the top 20 regions with the worst unemployment, at 9.1 per cent.
Perth’s North West had the highest level of job losses in absolute terms between February and July, with a drop of 30,200.
“While Victoria is likely to lose the most jobs because of lockdown 2.0, Queensland and Western Australia - which have both enjoyed more success at containing and suppressing the virus - aren’t faring much better,” Commsec senior economist Ryan Felsman said today.
“Queensland is highly dependent on interstate and international tourism.
“And WA continues to be captive to the fortunes of mining.
“That said, with iron ore prices straddling 6.5-year highs on the back of the Chinese industrial-led recovery, the WA economy is well positioned to recover first from the COVID-19 recession.
“Already 19,100 jobs were added or reinstated in July with skilled job vacancies up by 11.3 per cent.”
Community career development group Bridging the Gap chief executive Tracey Davenport said Mandurah was predominantly a tourist town, with job losses in hospitality and tourism.
She said casual staff were worst hit.
"It has been identified that youth unemployment is particularly high in the region, and there are several innovative, industry specific pilots looking to address this," Ms Davenport said.
"Bridging the Gap is currently working with the aged care and disability sectors to identify their needs and train young people to be job ready, working with industry partners to provide work experience and internships so that they can get these young people aged 18 to 24 years on board and working efficiently as soon as they commence.
"This initiative is funded by Department of Education, Skills and Employment."
The City of Mandurah, Peel Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Visit Mandurah, state member of parliament for Mandurah and federal member for Canning were all unable to respond to a request for comment today.
