The March 2025 Regional Labour Market Indicator (RLMI) presents the latest results on labour market performance across Australia’s regions. While the data shows improved outcomes in many areas, particularly in parts of Western Australia and regional Victoria, the results also highlight ongoing disparities between stronger and poorer performing regions.
According to the latest findings, 91 per cent of regions recorded an employment rate of above 70 per cent, compared with 62 percent a decade earlier. Unemployment rates have also improved, with 83 per cent of regions recording a rate below 5 per cent. This compares with just 15 per cent 10 years ago. However, a persistent disparity remains between the stronger and poorer performing regions. Labour market challenges are more pronounced in regional and remote parts of the country, where both employers and jobseekers continue to face additional barriers.
Western Australia: A strong and improving labour market
Western Australia has been rated Australia’s top-performing economy for three consecutive quarters in CommSec’s State of the States report. The state’s strong labour market has been supported by a high-performing domestic economy, stronger than expected population growth and high demand for workers, which have helped keep conditions tight.
Labour market performance in Western Australia continues to improve. Six of the state’s nine regions were rated ‘above average’ or ‘strong’ in March 2025. This is an increase from four regions a year ago and just three five years earlier.
For more insights, read the full results.
