The Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven regions have topped the list of NSW unemployment 'hotspots' where nearly 30 per cent of people under 24 are struggling to find work.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Five NSW regions have been highlighted in the Unfair Australia report released by the Brotherhood of St Laurence on Monday.
Youth unemployment levels in south coast towns including Nowra, Mittagong and Ulladulla sit at 28.9 per cent, the report says.
This compares with the national youth unemployment rate of 12.2 per cent, which is more than double the nationwide average of 5.5 per cent for people of all ages.
The Murray region, taking in the towns of Albury, Tocumwal, Jerilderie, Deniliquin recorded the second highest rate of youth unemployment, with 21.5 per cent of youth out of work
The Coffs Harbour-Grafton region came in third at 19.8 per cent; followed by the Central Coast at 18.6 per cent; and New England-North West region at 16.6 per cent.
Brotherhood of St Laurence executive director Conny Lenneberg says rural areas and outer suburbs carry the heaviest burden, and she has called for action from governments and employers in those communities
"Stubborn rates of youth unemployment are not just a concern for families or the welfare sector," Ms Lenneberg said in a statement on Monday.
The report used Australian Bureau of Statistics data released in earlier this month.
Across NSW the youth unemployment rate reached 10.8 per cent in the 12 months to January 2018.
Nationwide youth unemployment is highest in outback Queensland where 67.1 per cent of young people are out of work, the report said.
Australian Associated Press
