Key Message

The Territory remains one of the strongest labour markets in Australia. In December 2014, the labour force participation rate was 71.9%, the highest of the jurisdictions. The unemployment rate was the lowest of the jurisdictions for the sixth consecutive month at 3.6%. Territory employment continues to increase with the majority of newly employed persons gaining full-time jobs. However, softening job advertisements and vacancies suggest a moderation in employment in the short term is likely.

Notes

All data referred to in the brief are in trend terms, except for the apprentice andtrainee data, which are in original terms.

Current labour market briefs are available online at:

For information on the data sources used and a glossary of labour market terms please see Labour Market Terms and Information.

Please note that changes to geographical standards and population re-benchmarking have resulted in revisions to labour market estimates. For further information please go to:

Data Sources

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Catalogue Number 6202.0
ANZ Banking Corporation Limited, Job Advertisement Series
Australian Government Department of Employment, Vacancy Report

Northern Territory Government Department of Business

Enquiries

Strategic Policy and Research, 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 2014, the Territory’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 of a percentage point to3.6%, from the previous month’s revised figure.
  • The Territory’s unemployment rate is the lowest of the jurisdictions, followed bythe Australian Capital Territory(4.9%).
  • Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.2% in the month from the previous month’s revised figure.

Employment

Source: ABS Cat No 6202.0

  • In December 2014, there were 129600 peopleemployed in the Territory, an increase of 520 personsfrom the previous month’s revised figure.
  • Full-time employment in the Territory in December 2014, increased by 540to 106000 persons, with a slight decrease in part-time employment to 23600 persons.
  • Nationally, employment increased by 14400to 11646820persons.
  • National full-time employment increased by 7200 to 8076400persons and part-time employment increased by 7200 to 3570400 persons.

Participation Rate

Source: ABS Cat No 6202.0

  • In December 2014, the Territory’s labour force participation rate increased by 0.1 of a percentage point to71.9% from the previous month’s revised figure.
  • The Territory has the highest participation rate in Australia (71.9%), followed by the Australian Capital Territory (70.6%) and Western Australia (69.0%).
  • Nationally, the labour force participation rate remained unchanged at64.7% 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 2014, the Territory’s labour force increased by 0.2% to 134500 persons.
  • Nationally, the labour force increased by 0.1% to12417700 persons.

ANZ Newspaper Job Advertisements

Source: ANZ Job Advertisement Series

  • In December 2014 in the Territory, ANZ newspaper job adsdecreased by 6.0%to 335 job ads.
  • Newspaper job adsincreased in SouthAustralia (2.3%), New South Wales (0.9%), and the Australian Capital Territory (0.3%), butdecreased in all other jurisdictions, with the Territory having the highest percentage decrease.
  • Compared to December 2013,newspaper job ads decreased by 7.9%in the Territory, with all other jurisdictions also recording declines. These decreases ranged from a 52.7% fall in South Australia to a 3.9% decline in NewSouthWales.

Apprentices and Trainees

Source: Northern Territory Department of Business

  • In the period 1 January to30November 2014, there were2692 apprentice and trainee commencements in the Territory, an increase of 9.4% (232)compared to the same period in the previous year.
  • In the period 1 January to 30 November 2014, there were 1071apprentice and trainee completions in the Territory, a decrease of 7.0% (82)compared to the same period in the previous year.
  • As at 30 November 2014, there were 3807apprentices 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.

Internet Job Vacancies (November2014)

Source: Australian Government Department of Employment

  • In November 2014,internet job vacancies decreased by 0.8% in the Territory, with decreases in all occupations, except for Professionals increasing by 1.2%.
  • In November 2014,internet job vacancies for Labourers reported the largest monthly decrease (3.8%), with Community and personal service workers recording the second largest decrease (2.5%).
  • Growth in the number of internet job vacancies in Darwin was higher than in regional areas for all occupations.

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 andtrainee data, which are in original terms.

Current labour market briefs are available online at:

For information on the data sources used and a glossary of labour market terms please see Labour Market Terms and Information.

Please note that changes to geographical standards and population re-benchmarking have resulted in revisions to labour market estimates. For further information please go to:

Data Sources

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Catalogue Number 6202.0
ANZ Banking Corporation Limited, Job Advertisement Series
Australian Government Department of Employment, Vacancy Report

Northern Territory Government Department of Business

Enquiries

Strategic Policy and Research, 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