Employment in NSW has had a golden run. We mustn’t take it for granted

August 31, 2026 — 5:00am

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NSW has enjoyed a prolonged period of labour market strength.

The state’s unemployment rate has been under 4.5 per cent for almost five years and well below 4 per cent for much of that time. Last month, the rate was 4.2 per cent – one of the lowest among the states.

NSW has not seen such positive job market conditions in many decades.

As senior Herald economics writer Matt Wade reports today, the Sutherland area in Sydney’s south had the best unemployment rate of any region in Australia in July at just 2.2 per cent. The northern beaches had the nation’s next lowest rate at 2.6, while the eastern suburbs was third lowest with 2.8 per cent.

Unemployment was at or below the national rate of 4.5 per cent in 12 of........

© The Sydney Morning Herald