Early signs of Tasmania returning to jobs growth after the coronavirus crash are emerging.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures based on payroll data estimated Tasmanian jobs increased by 0.2 per cent in the week ending on May 2.
The ABS also estimated Tasmania's total wages increased by a nation's strongest 4.3 per cent in the same period.
That might have reflected some workers getting more paid hours than earlier in the pandemic restrictions period, although the ABS warned not to put too much faith in the weekly wages figures.
Previous estimates based on payrolls released in early May suggested Tasmania lost about 20,800 jobs between the week ending on March 14 - when Australia recorded its 100th coronavirus case - and April 18.
That equated to 8 per cent of Tasmanian jobs.
The ABS now estimates Tasmania lost 7.2 per cent of jobs - about 18,700 jobs - between March 14 and May 2.
It put national job losses at 7.3 per cent.
The hardest hit groups in Tasmania were accommodation and food services workers - with their total employment down by 26.2 per cent - and workers aged 70 and over (down by 13.3 per cent).
The ABS estimated that between March 14 and April 18:
- The North-West and West Coast lost 7.6 per cent of jobs;
- Launceston and the North-East lost 7.8 per cent;
- Hobart lost 7.2 per cent;
- the South-East lost 9.3 per cent; and
- the state lost 7.9 per cent.
The pandemic brought other significant lifestyle changes as well as job losses.
Survey results the ABS published on Monday suggested 46 per cent of employed Australians worked from home in late April and early May.
"Of those who were not working from home, 89 per cent couldn't due to the type of job they had," ABS program manager for household surveys Michelle Marquardt said.
She said women (56 per cent) were more likely than men (38 per cent) to have been working from home.
Other lifestyle changes identified by the survey included:
- 22 per cent of respondents said they were eating more snack foods, such as chips, lollies and biscuits;
- 14 per cent were consuming more alcohol and 10 per cent less alcohol;
- 58 per cent were spending more time in front of their television, computer, phone or other device;
- 29 per cent were having fewer takeaway or delivered meals; and
- 38 per cent were spending more time cooking or baking.
Loneliness was the most widely reported source of personal stress during April.
It was reported by 22 per cent of respondents.
Ms Marquardt said it affected more women (28 per cent) than men (16 per cent).
She said 19 per cent reported they were having difficulties maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Seven per cent reported having experienced relationship difficulties during the pandemic.
The survey covered people aged 18 and over.
