Unemployment rate

At the 2021 Census, Unemployment rate across Australia was 5.1%. Unemployed people as a share of the labour force — those who were without work but actively looking and available to start.

Unemployed people as a share of the labour force (aged 15+). It is calculated as a percentage of the relevant population or dwellings, so it can be compared fairly between large and small areas.

It is the headline measure of local economic distress and moves quickly with the fortunes of an area's main industries.

Worth knowing: The Census is a single snapshot in August and uses a slightly different method to the monthly Labour Force Survey, so levels differ from the official rate.

Across the 2,361 SA2 areas with data, Unemployment rate ranges from 0.0% to 41.6%, with a typical (median) area at 4.5%. Most areas cluster toward the lower end, with a smaller number of much higher areas stretching the range.

Yes — Unemployment rate is measured consistently enough to compare across the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses, so the trend over time is meaningful. Nationally it has fallen from 5.6% in 2011 to 5.1% in 2021.

Use the interactive map to compare Unemployment rate down to block (sa1) and statistical area 2 (sa2) level, or search any suburb, postcode or council area to see its value in context against state and national figures.