We’ve heard, and written, plenty about the shortage of rental properties in the Far North. The rental vacancy rate in the Cairns region currently sits at a record low 0.5% and rents on houses and units are up 15-18% for the year. Nevertheless, the 2021 Census shows a sharp increase …read more
The ABS has started its staged release of 2021 Census data this morning; we will see further releases throughout the rest of this year and into early 2023. There is, obviously, an enormous range of data available from the Census so this first look we have focused on just two …read more
The biannual report on the status of the Queensland Public Service workforce for March 2022 shows that Public Service headcount grew by 1.9% y/y and now represents 10.5% (its lowest level since March 2016) of the total number employed in the State. Over the course of the year total employment …read more
The Australian labour market strengthened again in May. Employment lifted by 60,600 (with an increase in full-time positions of 69,400) and the unemployment rate remained steady at 3.9%. The fact that hours worked per capital rose by 0.8% m/m and now sits at a 11-year high of 88 hrs/capita indicates …read more
Up to now Conus has used X-12-ARIMA for the seasonal adjustment and trend estimation of a variety of regional data sets, including the Conus/CBC Staff Selection Regional Employment data. X-12-ARIMA was the successor to the X-11 method implemented by the US Census Bureau and is used by many statistical agencies …read more
Latest data from the ABS for the 2020/21 financial year shows the total number of businesses in the Cairns Regional Council area grew by 289 over the past year. If we compare to the most recent pre-COVID data (i.e. 2018/19) we see 229 more businesses. Between 2019 and 2021 the …read more
The unemployment rate in April has hit its lowest level since mid-1974 at just 3.9% (March was revised down from 4.0% to 3.9%) as another 4,000 were added to those employed. However, of real note was a huge jump in full-time positions (up 92,400) which saw total hours worked up …read more
The ABS original regional labour force data released today allows us to update the Conus/CBC Staff Selection Regional Employment Trend. This shows that Trend employment in Cairns increased in March by another 1,800 and for the first time ever now sits above 141,000 (actually 141,100). Despite the Participation Rate once …read more
The Queensland Valuer-General has released the land valuations (upon which Councils base their rates) for 2022, and they are likely to result in some rates surprises across the Far North when rates notices go out later this year. Councils base the rates landowners pay on the Land Valuations as applied …read more
The original ABS regional labour force data for Feb, released this morning, allows us to update our own Conus/CBC Staff Selection Trend series. This shows Trend employment growing in Greater Brisbane at a significantly faster pace than across the Rest of QLD. Greater Brisbane has added 72,400 to Trend employment …read more