Women win as unemployment rate steadies

Western Australia’s unemployment rate has steadied at 5.7 per cent in January, seasonally adjusted, despite a slight dip in the number of people employed.

The number of jobs fell by around 9,000 to be more than 1.3 million, seasonally adjusted, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

About 12,000 fewer males were employed while 3,000 more females had jobs.

The drop in employment was driven by full-time workers, with full-time employment down 15,000 people to be 892,000.

A seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent put WA fourth of all states, with the national average 5.5 per cent.

Nationally, the number of people employed rose by 16,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to be about 12.5 million.

Asia Pacific economist for job search site Indeed, Callam Pickering, said national employment growth was at a slower pace than most of last year, but still strong.

“Employment has increased by 403,000 people over the past year; one of the strongest 12-month periods on record,” he said.

“Although the survey result for January was mixed, it needs to interpreted in the context of the vast improvement in labour market conditions that occurred throughout 2017.

“Full-time employment fell by almost 50,000 people in January but increased by 293,000 people over the past year.

“Participation in the labour force took a dip but remains near its highest level in seven years.

 “We shouldn’t dwell on the negatives, particularly given the month-to-month volatility that is always present in our labour force figures.

“Outside of the ongoing weakness in wages, the labour market story remains bright.”