The unemployment rate in the City of Kwinana has fallen to a record low of 5.5 per cent, following 15 consecutive quarters of unemployment decline.
Mayor Peter Feasey said the 2023 Small Area Labour Markets’ September quarter results were very encouraging and looked at unemployment figures for the year between September 2022 and September 2023.
“This unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent is partly to do with population growth in first home buyer markets where the unemployment is particularly low, for example in Wandi,” Mayor Feasey said.
“But overall, unemployment is declining and there are numerous pathways open in Kwinana through marine, industry as well expansion in retail and hospitality industries.
“This latest unemployment figure also demonstrates the economic growth and investor confidence in the South West corridor of Perth, given announcements of projects like Westport, AUKUS and naval ship building,” he said.
Mayor Feasey said the region was likely to continue to attract new residents based on the economic prosperity and access to lifestyle at an affordable price point.
“This September quarter also included the shutdown of the bp Kwinana refinery, demonstrating the robust employment demand for skilled professionals in the region,’ he said.
“The industrial area has a rich employment ecosystem that weathers short term downturns.
“It is expected that the continued demand for specialist industrial workers will see the region continue to maintain and improve its economic outlook despite scaling back of production at sites like Alcoa,” Mayor Feasey said.