NSW CONTINUES TO LEAD THE NATION ON JOBS GROWTH

NSW continues to have the second lowest unemployment rate in the nation, adding 7,800 jobs in April.

Treasurer Andrew Constance said the ABS Labour Force figures show the state unemployment rate increased slightly from a revised 5.2 per cent to 5.4 per cent, but remains well below the national average of 5.8 per cent.

“National economic uncertainty means our job figures remain vulnerable to fluctuations, however we are encouraged to see NSW add 7,800 jobs in April – more than half of the new jobs created nationally,” Mr Constance said.

“This comes off the back of excellent figures in March where NSW contributed 16,700 of the 21,900 new jobs created across Australia.

“Our participation rate increased to 63.2 per cent, indicating growing confidence in the jobs market.

“NSW continues to outperform all the states with the highest number of jobs created in the nation since the NSW Liberals & Nationals came to office, with 137,400 additional jobs.

“This follows a decade under the previous Labor government during which NSW had the lowest employment growth of any state.

“Today’s job figures come after the release of strong retail sales numbers yesterday and excellent housing approval figures on Monday.

“We’re leading the nation on retail sales growth, with Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia going backwards, while our housing approval figures are the strongest they’ve been in over a decade, with 51,000 new homes approved in the 12 months to March this year.

“The most recent CommSec State of the States report had NSW setting the pace on dwelling starts with improvements in economic growth, equipment investment and construction work.

“These are encouraging signs for the NSW economy at a time when the economy is transitioning from mining to non-mining drivers of growth.”