Tasmania is getting some promising jobs numbers as the tourism sector continues to sweat on border reopenings before the vital Christmas and summer period.
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The state added a net 900 jobs in the month to September in seasonally adjusted terms, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated.
That contrasted with recent figures based on payrolls which suggested the state was losing jobs amid the New South Wales and Victorian coronavirus lockdowns.
The Tasmanian government is aiming to reopen borders by Christmas, subject to vaccination rates and public health advice.
Premier Peter Gutwein said the seasonally adjusted estimates put Tasmanian employment at a record 263,100 people.
"That's 28,500 more Tasmanians employed than when we first came to government and, once again, confirms our economy is strong and jobs are continuing to be created, despite a global pandemic," Mr Gutwein said.
"Pleasingly, female employment in Tasmania grew by 2400 in the month and the unemployment rate fell 0.7 percentage points to 4.8 per cent."
"While this latest data is extremely positive and encouraging, we know COVID-19 remains an ever-present threat to our way of life as we continue to manage our recovery.
"With the highest growth in job vacancies in the nation, we are making key investments in education, skills and TasTAFE to ensure even more Tasmanians can participate in our growing economy, while also putting record funding into essential services, including health and housing."
Shadow Treasurer Shane Broad said the new data showed how damaging the coronavirus outbreaks in New South Wales and Victoria had been to the Tasmanian economy.
"Youth unemployment has risen to 11.1 per cent, which is the second highest in the country besides Victoria," Dr Broad said.
"This is despite much of New South Wales being in lockdown for over 100 days.
"It is clear that lockdowns in other states have and will continue to impact Tasmania's economy and it is vital the government support businesses and workers to help them make it through this difficult time."
The ABS estimated employed males in Tasmania decreased by 1500 in the month to September, with rising female employment responsible for the overall growth.
Full-time employment was estimated to have increased by 3400 people, with part-time employment down by 2400.
Employment fell by 1.1 per cent nationally, thanks largely to drops of 3.5 per cent in Victoria, 3.2 per cent in the ACT and 0.6 per cent in New South Wales.
Only Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland had growth.