Australia’s unemployment rate, measured in trend terms, fell slightly in December 2010 to 5.1 per cent – its lowest level since January 2009. South Australia’s unemployment rate remained stable at 5.6 per cent.

The total number of employed persons for Australia rose by more than 25,000 persons in December 2010, with full-time employment rising more strongly than part-time employment (21,000 persons compared with almost 5,000 persons). The total number of unemployed persons fell by approximately 2,500 persons. The participation rate rose to 66.0 per cent.

The South Australian labour market has not performed as strongly as the national labour market over the past year. The South Australian unemployment rate in December 2010 was up 0.4 percentage points compared to a year earlier, whereas the national unemployment rate was down 0.4 percentage points.

Note: All estimates are in trend terms.