Mandurah has the worst youth unemployment in WA, according to a Brotherhood of St Laurence report.
The report found 17.7 per cent of youth in the region were unemployed – making it the 11th highest youth unemployment in the country.
This figure has grown since 2016, when only 13.9 percent of 15-24 year olds were unemployed.
The data analysis found 55 of the total of 87 regions in Australia had youth unemployment rates above 11 per cent – a stark contrast to the overall national unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent, for all age groups.
Read more:
Location differences also emerged, with regions outside of capital cities found to be worse off.
Brotherhood of St Laurence’s executive director Conny Lenneberg said this was a worrying trend.
“In our prosperous country it’s very worrying when we have more than a quarter of a million young people in the labour force who are unemployed,” she said.
“Youth unemployment hotspots in outer suburbs and rural areas are carrying the heaviest burden.
“The modern economy is creating new risks for Australia’s emerging generation.
“Disadvantaged young people in particular are facing barriers in their effort to secure work.”
The news comes following the news that Peel’s overall unemployment rate dropped from 11.2 per cent to seven per cent in 2017, according to a report issued by Commonwealth Securities.
While Mandurah’s still listed in the top 15 regions with the highest jobless rates, it bucked the trend of many other regions listed in the report, with hefty increases for many areas, particularly on the east-coast.
The 20 worst youth unemployment “hotspots”
- Queensland-Outback region, including Cape York, Weipa, Mount Isa, Longreach – 67.1 per cent
- Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven region of NSW, including Nowra, Mittagong, Ulladulla – 28.9 per cent
- Wide Bay region of Queensland, including Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Maryborough – 27.7 per cent
- Tasmania-South East region, including Bruny Island, Southern Midlands, Derwent Valley – 21.8 per cent
- Murray region of NSW, including Albury, Tocumwal, Jerilderie, Deniliquin – 21.5 per cent
- Coffs Harbour-Grafton region of NSW, also including Bellingen, Dorrigo – 19.8 per cent
- Melbourne-West region, including Sunshine, St Albans, Footscray, Melton – 18.7 per cent
- Central Coast NSW region, including Gosford, Woy Woy, Wyong, The Entrance – 18.6 per cent
- Adelaide-North region, including Elizabeth, Salisbury, Parafield, Gawler – 18.4 per cent
- Townsville region in Queensland, also including Ayr, Charters Towers, Ingham – 18.1 per cent
- Mandurah, WA, region, including Pinjarra – 17.7 per cent
- Melbourne-North West region, including Keilor, Sunbury, Broadmeadows, Craigieburn – 17.5 per cent
- Adelaide-West region, including Port Adelaide, Fulham, Henley Beach, Plympton – 17.0 per cent
- Logan-Beaudesert region in Queensland, also including Beenleigh, Springwood – 17.0 per cent
- Adelaide-South region, including Brighton, Mitcham, Morphett Vale, Glenelg – 16.9 per cent
- New England-North West region of NSW, including Armidale, Moree, Tamworth – 16.6 per cent
- South Australia-South East region, including Victor Harbour, Mount Gambier – 16.3 per cent
- Bendigo region of Victoria, also including Castlemaine, Kyneton, Heathcote – 16.2 per cent
- Shepparton region of Victoria, also including Cobram, Yarrawonga, Echuca – 16.1 per cent
- Perth-North West region, including Joondalup, Stirling, Wanneroo, Scarborough – 16.0 per cent
