Unemployment at historic low

While figures for Moira Shire are yet to be released, unemployment rates across regional Victoria are at a historic low, an example being the City of Greater Shepparton which is on just 3.2 per cent.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows Victoria’s regional unemployment rate fell to 3.0 per cent overall — the lowest of all the states — as well as the lowest ever recorded for regional Victoria.

In the 12 months to February, Victoria’s regional youth unemployment was the lowest of all the states at eight per cent.

The Victorian Government said 550,000 jobs had been created across the state since it was elected in November 2014 — the biggest proportional jump of all the states.

ABS figures show unemployment has fallen in every area of regional Victoria with Geelong the lowest at just two per cent.

Since the peak of Victoria’s second COVID-19 wave in September 2020 more than 282,000 jobs have been created.

“Our ongoing investment in regional Victoria is creating more jobs and helping businesses and families bounce back from the effects of the pandemic, delivering economic benefits across the state,” Treasurer Tim Pallas said.

“This means that businesses and households across Victoria can feel increasingly confident and secure about their future and the economy as we move forwards.”

Regional Development Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said regional Victoria was going from strength to strength.