Employment

The Hunter region (see below and footnotes for region definitions) has been experiencing some challenging employment trends over the past year. Some key points are:

Overall Employment: There has been a significant decline in employment in the Hunter region, with a decrease in total full-time employment of 7.0% over the last 12 months.
Monthly Changes: The last month saw a drop of 4,703 jobs, and the month before that saw a decrease of 4,222 jobs.
Part-Time Employment: Part-time employment also declined by about 2.6% over the previous 12 months.

In contrast, New South Wales (NSW) as a whole has seen a slight increase in employment by 0.3% over the last 12 months, with part-time employment growing by about 6.3%. 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

Over the past 12 months, unemployment in the Hunter region grew from a very low rate of 2.5% to 3.7%. Youth unemployment in the Hunter region is slightly higher at 4.2%. In comparison, New South Wales (NSW) has an overall unemployment rate of 4.0%, with youth unemployment at 4.6%. 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 middle of 2024 saw declines in employment in the mining and manufacturing sector, with mining reducing 1400 full time equivalent employees (FTEs) in addition to 1600 FTEs shed in the previous quarter. In contrast, manufacturing’s loss of 1800 FTEs offset the previous quarter’s increase of 1500 FTEs. Agriculture, forestry and fishing and mining grew by 200 FTEs, but in response to a reduction of 2200 FTEs in the first quarter. Mixed results were evident in the utilities, construction and services sector, with health care growing by 2200 FTEs, maintaining strong sector growth (4700 FTEs in the previous quarter). The most significant declines were evident in utilities, retail trade, admin and support services, public admin and education.

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.