WA Economy

While the Western Australian economy has had a sustained period of continuous economic growth, successive governments, policy-makers, businesses and individuals continue to grapple with the policy dilemmas of a changing economic landscape, slow productivity growth, and disruptive technologies.

This research theme aims to provide insights into the changing WA economy, based on the most up-to-date data and independent research, to ensure economic agents can better understand the complexities of the economy, its growth trajectory as well as future growth opportunities and challenges.

The WA Economy research theme also provides a monthly update on WA’s labour market within an Australian context, with our BCEC Monthly Labour Market Updates. A detailed WA economic update is also available through the BCEC Quarterly Economic Commentary. These outputs ensure analysis on critical economic indicators is available on a regular and frequent basis.

Related Publications

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BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – February 2024 Michael Dockery, Alan Duncan — Employment jumps by 116,500 workers in February, or 0.8 per cent in a single month. — — Headline unemployment rate tumbles back to 3.7 per cent, down from 4.1 per cent in January. — — Robust labour market erodes... Read article 27 March 2024Monthly Labour Market Update Read More
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – January 2024 Michael Dockery, Alan Duncan — Unemployment rate inches over 4 per cent for first time in two years. — — Other major labour market aggregates largely unchanged. — — Fall in vacancies gaining momentum in eastern seaboard. — Is the Australian labour market holding... Read article 19 February 2024Monthly Labour Market Update Read More
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – December 2023 Alan Duncan, Michael Dockery — Volatile employment figures show 65,100 jobs shed in December. — — Other indicators suggest this overstates the rate at which the labour market is weakening. — — Expect interest rates to stay on hold when the Reserve Bank Board... Read article 23 January 2024Monthly Labour Market Update Read More
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – November 2023 Alan Duncan, Michael Dockery – Surprise pre-Christmas jump in full-time employment: up by 0.6% in November – – Participation rate leaps to 67.2 per cent, 0.2ppt – – MYEFO projections banking on deteriorating jobs growth in coming quarters – Jobs figures strong, but estimates... Read article 18 December 2023Monthly Labour Market Update Read More
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – October 2023 Alan Duncan, Michael Dockery – Inflation and interest rates to stay high for longer – – Labour market stubbornly resilient, as jobs grow by 55,000 nationally – – Real wages to keep falling in coming quarters – Jobs data in line with revised expectations... Read article 20 November 2023Monthly Labour Market Update Read More
BCEC Monthly Labour Market Update – September 2023 Alan Duncan, Michael Dockery — Labour market weakens, but headline unemployment rate falls. — — Exodus of males from the labour force as male participation rate falls 0.7ppt to 71.0 per cent; female participation rate returns to 62.7 per cent record high. — —... Read article 24 October 2023Monthly Labour Market Update Read More