JOBS BOOM FOR NEWCASTLE AND LAKE MACQUARIE

February 05, 2025

There are more jobs in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie with new Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealing almost 20,000 extra positions have been created in the past two and a half years.

ABS Labour Force figures released this month have revealed that since the Albanese Labor Government came to office in 2022, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie has grown by 19,900 new jobs, bringing local employment to 222,400.

These figures include extra jobs for local women, with 4,900 positions created for women in the region since 2022.

Across Australia, an extra 444,400 jobs were created in 2024 alone – the second largest rise in a calendar year on record. Of those, 67 percent were full time positions.

This strong job creation has occurred at the same time as we make substantial progress in bringing down inflation.

Our workplace laws - all of which were opposed by Peter Dutton and the Coalition - are delivering:

• Higher pay and stronger job security for workers;
• Real wage growth after a decade of deliberate wage suppression under the Coalition, with the average Australian worker now earning an extra $150 a week compared to 2 years ago;
• Real wages growth for four consecutive quarters, a complete turnaround from when we came to Government when annual real wages were falling;
• Increases to minimum and award wages, meaning that the 2.6 million lowest paid workers are better off;
• The lowest gender pay gap level in history;
• Same Job Same Pay laws delivering significant pay rises to labour hire workers;
• New rights for truck drivers to stay safe on our roads;
• New rights for gig economy workers like rideshare and food delivery workers, including unfair dismissal;
• More rights for casual workers;
• The right to say ‘no’ to unpaid overtime, through our Right to Disconnect;
• The criminalisation of intentional wage theft.

Quotes Attributable to Federal Member for Shortland, Minister Pat Conroy:

“Labor promised to create more jobs and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered for our community.

“Under the Albanese Labor Government, inflation has more than halved, we’ve overseen the creation of 1.1 million jobs - the most jobs created on record in a Parliamentary term, and real wages are growing again.

“I know people in our community are doing it tough and there’s more work to do, but thanks to Labor’s responsible economic management, almost 20,000 new jobs have been created in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon:

“This surge in new jobs is great for Newcastle and our region, with almost 20,000 new jobs created, we have more Novocastrians working, which is good for workers families, business and industry.

“The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its promise to create more opportunities for Australians. Today’s job figures are a testament to our strong economic plan, which is putting people first and strengthening our workforce.

“By investing in training and skills, infrastructure, and innovation, Labor is Building Australia’s Future, with good, secure and well-paid jobs at its heart.