4. South-East Tasmania (including Derwent Valley, excluding Hobart): 19.6 per cent.

6. Launceston and North-East Tasmania: 18.2 per cent.?

TASMANIAN youth unemployment numbers have topped national figures in a scathing report released yesterday by Brotherhood of St Laurence welfare group.

The report earmarks Tasmania's West and North-West, including Burnie and Devonport, as holding the worst rate of youth unemployment in Australia at 21 per cent.

Tasmania's South-East is rated fourth worst in Australia, at 19.6 per cent, followed by Launceston and North-East Tasmanian unemployment at sixth worst with a rate of 18.2 per cent unemployed.

The report highlights detriment caused to national youth employment since the global financial crisis.

Queensland, South Australia and Northern Territory follow Tasmania for high youth unemployment, with 20.5 per cent unemployed in Cairns, 19.7 per cent in North Adelaide and 18.5 per cent in outback Northern Territory.

The report states that investment in young workers is equal in importance to building transportation infrastructure, would increase national growth and cut avoidable costs to public services.

A focus on employability skills, work experience, coaching, vocational guidance, rapid action and connecting with local employers are listed as recommendations from the group.