In fact, the data shows what appears to a recovery in many parts of regional Queensland.

According to modelling of the ABS data by Conus/CBC Staff Selection, regional Queensland’s trend unemployment data is 7.8 per cent, down from 9 per cent in July.

Inner-city Brisbane has the lowest trend unemployment of 5.3 per cent and Wide Bay the worst at 13.2 per cent.

In the southeast, the worst unemployment is in Brisbane East (9.5 per cent)

Conus Consultancy economist Pete Faulkner said his modelling showed Townsville now had a trend unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent with an extra 2000 jobs created this month alone and 3100 for the year.

“All the unemployment increases have come in the part-time sector with older employees enjoying gains as the young and middleaged suffered declines,” Faulkner said.

He said Townsville was coming off a low base, but “it was suffering much less” than other regions that were reliant on tourism.

“The quarterly data to August also suggests that a good deal of the strength is due to the agricultural sector where employment has grown strongly,” he said.

Cairns employment has also lifted and once again it was due to part-time work.

The participation rate, which is an indicator of employment confidence, is also rising sharply in some areas, particularly Brisbane.