Jump in SA unemployment
Submitted 9/04/2010
AAP
South Australia saw a sharp jump in its unemployment rate in March, up to 5.4 per cent from 4.8 per cent, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows. Nationally the unemployment rate remained at 5.3 per cent in March as a growing number of people found full-time work in the month. Total employment grew by a seasonally-adjusted 19,600 in March with full-time employment rising by 30,600, offset by a near 11,000 drop in part-time workers. Economists' forecasts had centred on a 30,000 employment increase in March in a survey conducted by AAP, with unemployment rate remaining at February's level of 5.3 per cent after the unexpected fall to 5.2 per cent in January. Among the states and territories NSWs unemployment edged up to 5.5 per cent from 5.4 per cent while in Victoria it also rose to 5.4 per cent from 5.3 per cent. In Western Australia it was 5.1 per cent versus 5.0 per cent. In all other states and territories the jobless rate fell.


