Jobless ranks swell by up to 46pc

RECESSION-like job losses in WA have fuelled a spike in people living off unemployment benefits, with jobless ranks swelling by up to 46 per cent in pockets of Perth since full-time employment peaked two years ago.

The latest Social Services Department figures show the number of West Australians claiming the dole rose from 63,354 to 78,211 – a 23.5 per cent increase.

They also reveal a souring of fortunes in Perth’s south, with Kwinana, Rockingham and Armadale among the top six local government areas ranked by increase in dole recipients.

More than 1200 residents of the City of Kwinana relied on the dole in December 2014, but a 36.4 per cent jump in jobless pushed it to 1774 by September last year.

The number of jobseekers on welfare grew 39.5 per cent to 4177 in the City of Rockingham and 35.6 per cent to 3369 in the City of Armadale.

In the north, Wanneroo faced a 39.46 per cent increase, up to 5718.

The Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, which had a big fly-in, fly-out workforce during the boom, had a 65.42 per cent increase over the period.

WA welfare recipients increase by 23.5 per cent

MORE; Social Services Department figures show Kwinana, Rockingham, Armadale | Perth Now