The Outback Queensland figures, based predominantly on Mount Isa, show an unemployment rate of 5.2 per cent.

Mount Isa comprises more than half (52.3 per cent) of the region’s workforce and is the largest population centre in the Outback region.  

Economist Colin Dwyer said it could be due a skills shortage related to the region’s remoteness.

“With an almost-full employment rate, some industries and regions may be experiencing skills shortages,” he said.  

“This is part of the complexity of the Outback economy and North West jobs market.

 “In July 2014, the male jobless rate for the Outback region has crept up to 6.8 per cent and the three-month average male unemployment has moved from 4.5per cent to 7 per cent.  

“This compares to an all-persons North Queensland, state and national average of 6.4 per cent.”

The female jobless figures in Outback Queensland decreased from 6.8 per cent to 3 per cent from June to July.

Official data shows 2100 unemployed males but only 700 unemployed females in July 2014. 

“It is likely that a slowdown in agriculture due to continuing dry conditions has affected the region and male jobs,” Mr Dwyer said. 

“The male-dominated transport sector is also influenced by the slower conditions in the agriculture sector.

“The data reflects that women are performing well during the dry tourist season and probably finding work in hotels, motels cafes and the retail sector.”

Mr Dwyer said the region needed to monitor the performance of its key industries and seek its fair share of state and federal public investment to consolidate its industry strengths and diversify its economy.  

“An audit of current infrastructure, its quality and what infrastructure is needed to achieve more sustainable economic growth and create future jobs is important,” he said.  

“A base-load power station is a crucial piece of infrastructure for the North West mineral province to achieve its full economic potential.

“Public, private and international funds are required to plan and develop the Mount Isa of the future.’’

Outback Queensland’s overall jobless numbers are below trend figures, the raw data governments prefer to rely on, which has increased marginally from 6.4 per cent in June to 6.5 per cent in July.

Queensland’s unemployment rate continues to rise, reaching its highest level since June, 2003.

Queensland lays claim to being home to some of Australia’s worst youth unemployment regions, with Outback Queensland now one of the hardest places in Australia to get a job for 15-to-24-year-olds. 

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, in July, 2013, Queensland’s Outback had youth unemployment of 22.5 per cent, but in the past 12 months, the youth jobless rate has soared as high as 34.5 per cent. 

Mr Dwyer said  youth unemployment was a concern for Outback Queensland.

 “Youth unemployment is an issue and the results can change substantially over a 12-month period,” he said. 

“The 12-month average youth unemployment rate is 12.4 per cent, better than many other regions in the state, but the maximum recorded youth unemployment rate over the past 12 months has been as high as 34.5 per cent”. 

Outback Queensland’s 17.8 per cent youth unemployment rate is in the top 20 worst in the country. 

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union yesterday called on the Abbott government to immediately halt its plans to expand temporary visa employment programs.

The national secretary of the CFMEU, Michael O’Connor, said youth unemployment (15-24-year-olds) across the country was at crisis point, and in some regions the situation was acute. 

Queensland is over-represented in youth unemployment with nine regions, almost a third of the list. 

“The national youth unemployment rate is currently at its highest levels in 13 years,” he said.