Economy, jobs and prices in Canberra-Queanbeyan, Australia: official figures
At the 2021 Census the median personal income in the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area was $1,195 a week, the median household income $2,350 a week and the median family income $2,851 a week. Boundary: the Canberra-Queanbeyan Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
What is the unemployment rate in Canberra-Queanbeyan?
The unemployment rate in the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area was 3.8% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), joint lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Canberra-Queanbeyan?
69.7% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, joint 3rd highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people are employed in Canberra-Queanbeyan?
Of the 268,701 employed residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area at the 2021 Census, 66.0% worked full-time, 28.5% part-time and 5.5% were away from work that week.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the employment rate in Canberra-Queanbeyan?
67.0% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area aged 15 and over were employed at the 2021 Census.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Canberra-Queanbeyan compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Canberra-Queanbeyan ranks 30 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Sunshine Coast | 4.4% |
| 26 | Geelong | 4.4% |
| 27 | Bendigo | 4.2% |
| 28 | Darwin | 4.1% |
| 29 | Greater Darwin | 4.0% |
| 30 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 3.8% |
| 31 | Canberra | 3.8% |
More on Canberra-Queanbeyan: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: 2021 Census General Community Profile DataPack: Significant Urban Areas, Australia, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1c2f3c0b329f…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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