Employment

Employment in the Hunter (see below and footnotes for region definitions) shows a pattern of short-term softening within a modest upward trend. Over the most recent month, employment declined slightly (around 600 jobs), but this follows stronger gains over preceding months. Over a three-month horizon, employment has increased by about 4,000 jobs, with gains still evident over six months (+2,800) and across the past year (+3,200, or around 0.9%). This suggests that while month-to-month volatility remains, the underlying trajectory is one of gradual growth. Compared with NSW overall, where employment grew by around 10,400 jobs over the year (a slower 0.2% increase), the Hunter has experienced relatively stronger percentage growth, albeit from a smaller base.

Note that for the Hunter, employment statistics are collected at the Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4), including the SA4s of ‘Hunter Valley excluding Newcastle’, and ‘Newcastle and Lake Macquarie’, but excluding the Mid-Coast LGA which is classified in the Mid North Coast SA4 region. Hence data for the Hunter Region in this section excludes the Mid-Coast LGA.

Data source: ABS Labour Force, Australia, Detailed

Unemployment

Data source: ABS Labour Force, Australia, Detailed

Labour market conditions in the Hunter remain relatively tight but slightly weaker than the NSW average. The overall unemployment rate sits at 4.1%, compared with 3.9% for NSW, indicating marginally higher slack in the local labour market. This gap is more pronounced among young people, with youth unemployment (15–24) at 9.5% in the Hunter versus 9.1% across NSW. While these differences are not large, they suggest that labour market pressures are easing slightly more in the Hunter, particularly for younger cohorts, consistent with a softer and more uneven regional economy. These rates compare to a notional figure of circa 4.5% for the ‘non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment’ or NAIRU. Unemployment rates far away from the NAIRU are expected to help fuel wages growth and inflation. Note that the values expressed here are with a 3-month moving average.

Data source: ABS Labour Force, Australia, Detailed

Employment - by industry

The latest industry-level statistics for the Hunter are current to August 2025 after the ABS discontinued industry level reporting at the regional level in late 2025. Over the prior 6 months, the region saw significant declines in trade, accommodation and food services, and health and care services, while transport, communication, and most other service industries experienced employment growth. These figures reflect ongoing structural changes in the Hunter’s economy, with continued expansion in services and a gradual shift away from traditional sectors.

Data source: ABS Labour Force, Australia, Detailed

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.