Post-Census updates
JobSeeker recipients
About this topic
This page tracks JobSeeker and Youth Allowance (other) recipients for Central Highlands (R) (Qld) at SA2 level. It provides a more current signal of labour-market stress and socio-economic pressure than Census-only views.
The current comparison uses January 2026 against June 2023. Rates are calculated against the available ERP 15-64 population for each period.
Related topics
Key insight
In January 2026, 1,268 people in Central Highlands (R) (Qld) were receiving JobSeeker or Youth Allowance (other), equal to 6.5% of the working-age population, compared with 1,165 (6.1%) in June 2023. Central Highlands - East (part) had the highest current rate and Emerald the lowest.
1,268
Recipients January 2026
6.5% of 15-64 population
+103
Change since June 2023
6.1% to 6.5%
11.2%
Highest SA2 rate
Central Highlands - East (part)
4.2%
Lowest SA2 rate
Emerald
Chart view
Recipients by SA2
Current rate on the bar, comparison rate as the marker. Sorted by current rate.
Central Highlands - East (part)
11.2%
10.3%
Central Highlands - West
7.3%
6.1%
Emerald
4.2%
4.2%
Data table
JobSeeker rates by SA2
Download recipient counts and rates for the current and comparison months.
| SA2 | January 2026 recipients | January 2026 rate | June 2023 recipients | June 2023 rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Highlands - East (part) | 498 | 11.2% | 455 | 10.3% |
| Central Highlands - West | 340 | 7.3% | 285 | 6.1% |
| Emerald | 430 | 4.2% | 425 | 4.2% |