The TCCI is the voice of business in Tasmania and is calling on the Government to take the State’s flatlining participation rate seriously.

 

TCCI CEO, Michael Bailey, said the ABS figures released today show that Tasmania has the worst participation rate in the country and highlight the size of the challenge.

 

Tasmania’s participation rate in April this year was 60.3 per cent, while the national rate was 67 per cent.  Tasmania’s participation rate has dropped by 2.2 percentage points since April 2023.

 

“While our unemployment rate remains steady, the TCCI regards the participation rate as the real measure of how well Tasmania is doing and at nearly seven percentage points below the national average there is clearly a lot of work to do,” Mr Bailey said.

 

“If our participation rate was at the national average, over a ten-year period over 11,000 jobs would be created, households would be $1,500 better off and the State’s economy would be boosted by $3.7 billion.

 

“The TCCI wants to work with the Tasmanian Government to make boosting participation a key focus for the upcoming State budget and beyond by tackling barriers like transport, literacy, skills and childcare.

 

“There are no quick fixes.  It’s a long-term issue, but the best place to start is with a clear plan and the resources needed to tackle the issue and make it a priority.”