1303.6 - Tasmanian Statistical Indicators, Mar 2004

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/03/2004

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Main Features About this Release	THE LABOUR FORCE Trend estimates There were an estimated 225,100 persons (based on trend estimates) in the labour force in January 2004 and an estimated 382,600 civilian Tasmanians aged 15 years or more, yielding a labour force participation rate of 58.9%, compared to 58.7% in January 2003. The Australian labour force participation rate for January 2004 was 63.8%, compared to the January 2003 estimate of 64.2% - see Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0). For Tasmanian males, the trend estimate of the participation rate was 66.4% in January 2004, compared to the January 2003 estimate of 67.1%. For Tasmanian females, the trend estimate of the participation rate was 51.8% in January 2004, compared to 50.7% in January 2003. EMPLOYMENT Trend estimates The trend estimate of the total number of employed persons in Tasmania in January 2004 was 210,000, compared to 200,800 in January 2003, an increase of 4.6%. Employment over the same period increased in New South Wales by 1.5%, Victoria by 1.0%, Queensland by 3.9%, South Australia by 1.0% and Western Australia by 1.6%. 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 January 2004 was 15,100 compared to 19,600 in January 2003. The trend estimate of the unemployment rate for January 2004 was 6.7%, a decrease from the January 2003 figure of 8.9%. The Australian trend estimate of the unemployment rate was 5.6% in January 2004 compared to 6.1% in January 2003 - see Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0). UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, TASMANIA HOUSING FINANCE Trend estimates In trend terms, the number of housing finance commitments in Tasmania for December 2003 was 1,189, a decrease of 4.0% from the previous month. In the same period, the trend estimate for Australia decreased by 0.6%. The Tasmanian trend estimate increased by 7.3% between December 2002 and December 2003, while the national trend estimate increased by 16.6%. The increases in the number of housing finance commitments over the same period for the other states and territories were New South Wales (16.9%), Victoria (9.2%), Queensland (20.9%), South Australia (18.7%), Western Australia (24.6%), Northern Territory (40.2%). The only state or territory to record a decrease was the Australian Capital Territory (6.2%) - 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 233 dwelling units approved in Tasmania during December 2003, including 204 new houses. This compares to 325 dwelling units approved during November 2003, including 244 new houses. The number of dwelling units approved in December 2003 increased by 17.7% from the 198 approvals recorded in December 2002. At current prices, the value of total building approved in Tasmania was $55.4m in December 2003, which was 14.5% below the November 2003 figure of $64.8m and 39.2% above the December 2002 figure of $39.8m. Residential building contributed $39.4m and non-residential building $16.0m in December 2003 - see Building Approvals, Australia (cat. no. 8731.0). RETAIL Trend estimates In trend terms, the estimate of retail turnover in Australia for December 2003 was $15,768.5m, a 8.9% increase from the December 2002 estimate of $14,485.7m. In trend terms, the estimate of retail turnover in Tasmania for December 2003 was $336.0m, a 13.0% increase from the December 2002 estimate of $297.4m - see Retail Trade, Australia (cat. no. 8501.0). SALES OF NEW MOTOR VEHICLES Trend estimates In trend terms, there were 1,591 new motor vehicles sold in Tasmania in December 2003, compared to 1,633 sold in November 2003. The number of new motor vehicles sold in December 2003 increased by 26.1% from the December 2002 figure of 1,262. Passenger vehicles represented 60.7% of all new vehicles sold in Tasmania in December 2003. Nationally, the trend estimate of new motor vehicles sold in December 2003 was 76,058, an increase of 6.7% from the December 2002 figure of 71,279 - see Sales of New Motor Vehicles, Australia (Electronic Publication) (cat. no. 9314.0). LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERING Trend estimates Movements of December 2003 trend estimates showed increases in two of the livestock slaughtering series from the previous month: cattle and calves rose by 5.7%; and sheep and lambs rose by 1.0%. The trend estimate for the number of pigs slaughtered fell by 1.0%. The trend estimate for the number of cattle and calves slaughtered in December 2003 was 26,000, up by 17.3% on the estimate for December 2002 and up by 66.4% on the estimate for December 2001. The trend estimate for the number of sheep and lambs slaughtered in December 2003 was 71,700, up by 18.4% on the estimate for December 2002 and up by 15.0% on the estimate for December 2001. The trend estimate for the number of pigs slaughtered in December 2003 was 3,760, down by 14.0% on the estimate for December 2002 and down by 17.7% on the estimate for December 2001. OVERSEAS TRADE The value of Tasmania's exports for the month of December 2003 was $154m, a decrease of 15% on the month of November 2003. Australia's exports for December 2003 totalled $9,254m. Tasmania's major export destinations for the month of December 2003 were Japan ($44.7m), Hong Kong ($22.0m) and Taiwan ($12.7m). Major commodity groups exported for the month were non-ferrous metals ($36.3m), fish, crustaceans and molluscs ($15.3m) and meat and meat preparations ($8.9m). CONSUMER PRICE INDEX The Consumer Price Index (All groups) for Hobart increased by 0.6% in the December quarter of 2003. Sydney recorded the largest increase (0.8%) while Melbourne recorded the lowest (0.2%). The weighted average of the eight capital cities increased by 0.5%. Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.