Unemployment in the Barwon and Western District rose 4.3 per cent to 207,100, the latest Australian Bureau and Statistics show.
Regional unemployment figures for the state dropped 0.3 per cent, however.
Regional labour force participation in Victoria remained steady despite regional Victoria facing significant challenges from the Commonwealth Government, Treasurer Michael O’Brien said.
“Regional Victoria’s unemployment rate averaged 6.0 per cent in the three months to February 2013,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This compares favourably to the Australian regional average of 6.1 per cent.”
The employment participation figures on a region by region basis show a significant degree of volatility, with some areas of Victoria showing strong employment trends compared with the same time last year, he said.
