Tasmania has 1000 fewer jobs than was believed a month ago, going by the latest official figures.
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The revised numbers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggested Tasmania did not break the 250,000 jobs barrier for the first time after all.
ABS trend terms figures for September released on Thursday estimated Tasmania lost 300 jobs in that month, with total employment dropping to 249,300.
A month ago, the ABS estimated the state had 250,300 jobs in August.
The new estimates suggested Tasmanian employment had fallen for three months straight, since a record level of 249,900 in June.
It was thought a month ago Tasmania had gained 2600 jobs since October last year.
The latest figures slashed that growth estimate to 1500 jobs.
Male employment was steady at 130,000 in September, while female employment dropped by 300 to 119,300.
Full-time employment fell for a fourth month straight.
It dropped by 300 to 155,900 in September and was down by 1400 since May.
Full-time male employment decreased by 400 to 100,200 in September.
Full-time female employment increased by 100 to 55,700.
The total of of formally unemployed people dropped by 100 to 15,700.
That was the least since January.
The unemployment rate was steady at 5.9 per cent.
The participation rate dropped from 61.1 per cent to 60.9 per cent.
That was the weakest participation rate since May 2017.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon said Tasmania’s unemployment rate remained above the national average and the third worst in the country despite favourable global and domestic economic conditions.
“Tasmania is lagging behind the country on jobs growth, employment and participation rate,” Mr Bacon said.
“Tasmania’s employment participation rate continues to hold the state back.
“We want to see more Tasmanians in work and contributing to the economy.
“Skills and training continues to be a big problem for employers and more needs to be done to match these skills shortages with the skills and training being offered to Tasmanians.”
Regional employment figures will be released on October 25.
The ABS estimated the nation gained 5600 jobs in September in seasonally adjusted terms.
That reflected an increase of 20,300 full-time jobs and a 14,700 decrease in part-time jobs.
The unemployment rate dropped from 5.3 per cent to 5 per cent.
Continued declines in unemployment are expected to support stronger wages growth at some point.
On Wednesday, Reserve Bank deputy governor Guy Debelle said: “Unemployment is higher than is desirable and a number of workers would like to work more hours than are currently on offer.”
“This is a large part of the explanation for the low wages growth in recent years.
“ ... we anticipate that GDP (gross domestic product) will continue to grow above trend over the next few years, which will see the unemployment rate decline further.
“This, in turn, should see wages growth pick up, providing a welcome boost to household incomes.”