Aussie jobless figures down

By GREG ANSLEY

CANBERRA - Unemployment in Australia has fallen to its lowest level in almost a decade, with 12,000 new jobs created during May.

The Bureau of Statistics reported that the jobless rate last month fell to a seasonally-adjusted 6.7 per cent, a level last recorded in June 1990.

Youth unemployment, a major obstacle for successive governments jobs policy, followed the trend down despite growth in the teenage workforce.

The jobless rate for teenagers eased down 0.1 per cent to 21.4 per cent, the lowest level since October 1990.

The bureau also reported a growth in permanent employment, with 8700 full-time jobs created during May. In the past 12 months 30 per cent of the about 300,000 new jobs created have been permanent.

The number of women in work has also increased, accounting for about 55 per cent of total jobs growth over the past year.