1303.6 - Tasmanian Statistical Indicators, Dec 2003

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/12/2003

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Main Features About this Release	THE LABOUR FORCE Trend estimates There were an estimated 224,500 persons (based on trend estimates) in the labour force in October 2003 and an estimated 380,500 civilian Tasmanians aged 15 years or more, yielding a labour force participation rate of 59.1%, compared to 58.1% in October 2002. The Australian labour force participation rate for October 2003 was 63.5%, compared to the October 2002 estimate of 63.7% - see Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0). For Tasmanian males, the trend estimate of the participation rate was 66.6% in October 2003, compared to the October 2002 estimate of 66.5%. For Tasmanian females, the trend estimate of the participation rate was 52.0% in October 2003, compared to 50.2% in October 2002. EMPLOYMENT Trend estimates The trend estimate of the total number of employed persons in Tasmania in October 2003 was 209,500, compared to 199,300 in October 2002, an increase of 5.1%. Employment over the same period increased in New South Wales by 1.5%, Victoria by 1.2%, Queensland by 3.6%, South Australia by 2.6% and Western Australia by 0.6%. The increase in the national employment figure over the same period was 1.8% - see Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0). EMPLOYMENT, TASMANIA UNEMPLOYMENT Trend estimates The trend estimate of the number of unemployed persons in Tasmania for October 2003 was 15,000 compared to 18,600 in October 2002. The trend estimate of the unemployment rate for October 2003 was 6.7%, a decrease from the October 2002 figure of 8.5%. The Australian trend estimate of the unemployment rate was 5.7% in October 2003 compared to 6.1% in October 2002 - see Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0). UNEMPLOYMENT, TASMANIA HOUSING FINANCE Trend estimates In trend terms, the number of housing finance commitments in Tasmania for September 2003 was 1,403, an increase of 2.9% from the previous month. In the same period, the trend estimate for Australia increased by 2.0%. The Tasmanian trend estimate increased by 27.0% between September 2002 and September 2003, while the national trend estimate increased by 18.4%. The changes in the number of housing finance commitments over the same period for the other states and territories were New South Wales (15.2%), Victoria (10.4%), Queensland (31.7%), South Australia (16.6%), Western Australia (22.2%), Northern Territory (43.0%) and Australian Capital Territory (5.7%) - see Housing Finance for Owner Occupation, Australia (cat. no. 5609.0). HOUSING FINANCE, Tasmania, Number of dwellings HOUSING FINANCE, Australia, Number of dwellings BUILDING APPROVALS Original terms There were 234 dwelling units approved in Tasmania during September 2003, including 221 new houses. This compares to 247 dwelling units approved during August 2003, including 231 new houses. The number of dwelling units approved in September 2003 increased by 31.5% from the 178 approvals recorded in September 2002. At current prices, the value of total building approved in Tasmania was $45.0m in September 2003, which was 15.0% below the August 2003 figure of $52.9m and 32.1% above the September 2002 figure of $34.1m. Residential building contributed $38.6m and non-residential building $6.5m in September 2003 - see Building Approvals, Australia (cat. no. 8731.0). SALES OF NEW MOTOR VEHICLES Trend estimates In trend terms, there were 1,783 new motor vehicles sold in Tasmania in October 2003, compared to 1,698 sold in September 2003. The number of new motor vehicles sold in October 2003 increased by 44.1% from the October 2002 figure of 1,237. Passenger vehicles represented 64.0% of all new vehicles sold in Tasmania in October 2003. Nationally, the trend estimate of new motor vehicles sold in October 2003 was 79,774, an increase of 14.9% from the October 2002 figure of 69,428 - see Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Australia (Electronic Publication) (cat. no. 9314.0). RETAIL Trend estimates In trend terms, the estimate of retail turnover in Australia for September 2003 was $15,348.2m, a 6.8% increase from the September 2002 estimate of $14,373.9m. In trend terms, the estimate of retail turnover in Tasmania for September 2003 was $328.8m, a 11.8% increase from the September 2002 estimate of $294.2m - see Retail Trade, Australia (cat. no. 8501.0). LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERING Trend estimates In September 2003, the trend estimate for the number of cattle and calves slaughtered increased by 2.7% from August 2003. Over the same period the trend estimate for the number of sheep and lambs slaughtered remained steady, while the trend estimate for the number of pigs slaughtered increased by 0.7%. The trend estimate for the number of cattle and calves slaughtered in September 2003 was 21,500, up by 15.1% on the estimate for September 2002 and up by 22.2% on the estimate for September 2001. The trend estimate for the number of sheep and lambs slaughtered in September 2003 was 71,000, up by 17.9% on the estimate for September 2002 and up by 5.9% on the estimate for September 2001. The trend estimate for the number of pigs slaughtered in September 2003 was 3,900, down by 6.4% on the estimate for September 2002 and down by 20.7% on the estimate for September 2001. OVERSEAS TRADE The value of Tasmania's exports for the month of September 2003 was $168m, a decrease of 35.2% on the month of August 2003. Australia's exports for September 2003 totalled $9,106m. Tasmania's major export destinations for the month of September 2003 were Japan ($38.9m), Hong Kong ($21.9m) and Korea ($15.9m). Major commodity groups exported for the month were non-ferrous metals ($49.1m), fish, crustaceans and molluscs ($16.9m) and metallic ores and metal scrap ($8.7m). CONSUMER PRICE INDEX The Consumer Price Index (All groups) for Hobart increased by 0.2% in the September quarter of 2003. Brisbane recorded the largest increase (1.1%) while Darwin recorded a decrease (-0.1%). The weighted average of the eight capital cities increased by 0.6%. Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.