Which is Australia’s most unemployed state?

Australia’s unemployment rate has remained relatively stable over the past 12 months, decreasing to 6.1 per cent from 6.2 per cent, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

In some areas of the country, unemployment rates are as high as 61 per cent, a huge 10 times higher than the national average.

Also read: Australia’s top 10 unemployed suburbs

Queensland is home to five of the 10 remote towns and inner-city suburbs which have the highest employment rate in the 12 months to June 2015, according to the Department of Employment statistics.

But surprisingly, it is South Australia which takes the crown as Australia’s most unemployed state, far outweighing its neighbors with an ample 7.5 per cent unemployment rate in October.

The figure even represents a fall in the jobless rate, from 7.7 per cent in September this year.

The latest figures showed 10,800 found part-time jobs in October, helping to offset the loss of 5,300 fulltime positions.

Also read: Tas unemployment trend improving

But there is expected to be more pain ahead with the looming closure of Holden in 2017.

The state Labor government has responded by slashing business taxes in the hope of stimulating investment, particularly in advanced manufacturing.

Meanwhile, second on the list of jobless states is Tasmania, which less than a year after it held the title of Australia’s worst unemployment rate, is citing an improving trend.

Data show the island state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at 6.5 per cent for October, up from six per cent in September, owing to strong tourism, improved construction numbers and robust retail and business confidence.

Also read: Unemployment tipped to stay steady

Elsewhere, the Northern Territory has the lowest unemployment rate in the country.

Major projects attract considerable investment to the Northern Territory and generate significant employment opportunities across industries and the skills spectrum - these projects tend to have short lead times and generate high demand for skilled labour.

Unemployment rates by state and territory, October 2015

Source: Department of Employment/Australian Bureau of Statistics