LEADERSHIP

More geoscientists finding work

THE unemployment rate for geoscientists dropped over the March quarter, according to the latest Australian Institute of Geoscientist (AIG) Employment Survey.

Staff reporter
More geoscientists finding work

The unemployment rate fell to 7.5% from 9.1% three months earlier.

However, the underemployment rate amongst self-employed geoscientists, rose 2% to 20.5%, up from less than 15% six months ago.

The fall in geoscientist unemployment continues a gradual, downward trend that became evident in March 2016.

Over the March quarter, geoscientist unemployment increased in all states except Queensland and the Northern Territory. The biggest increase was in Victoria, where the unemployment rate increased from 5.9% to 11.8%.  In Queensland, the unemployment rate fell from 15.1% to 9.4%.

Underemployment increased in every state except South Australia, where the rate fell from 36.8% to 31.2%. 

Western Australia recorded an unemployment rate of 8.5% and underemployment rate of 17.6%.

"There is, clearly, evidence that improved industry activity is creating new employment opportunities for geoscientists, particularly in mineral exploration, but any talk of a boom seems premature," AIG president Andrew Waltho said. 

"We received excellent responses to the survey again, with more than 400 contributions received from geoscientists across Australia," he said.

The second quarter survey will open for contributions early in July.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

editions

MiningNews.net Research Report 2024

Access a multi-pronged tool to identify critical risks and opportunities in Australia’s mining industry.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.