Researchers map emerging disadvantage in Australia due to COVID-19 job loss

A new report reveals the areas that are most at risk of COVID-19 related job loss, with researchers pinpointing more than 100 locations of emerging disadvantage in Australia.

Professor Bill Mitchell The updated 'Employment Vulnerability Index (EVI) 3.0', created by researchers at the University of Newcastle and Griffith University, maps Australian suburbs that are susceptible to economic and social disadvantage due to COVID-19 job losses.

The EVI 3.0 uses Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census data to calculate an index score for towns and cities with a population of 10,000 people or more.

Co-authors Professor Bill Mitchell from the University of Newcastle and Professor Scott Baum from Griffith combined previous EVI data and insights on the jobs most affected by an economic downturn to model COVID-19's effect on more than 80% of Australians.

EVI 3.0 identifies two groups at risk of job losses: historically disadvantaged areas and an emerging group that have not suffered historical disadvantage, but are likely to experience social and economic pain.

Professor Bill Mitchell said across Australia, 108 locations were identified as areas of emerging disadvantage, adding to the list of 97 locations with existing disadvantage.

"Regional areas will be hit hard. Of the 108 areas of emerging disadvantage, 69 fall in non-metropolitan regions compared to 39 in metropolitan areas," Professor Mitchell said.

"For disadvantaged suburbs in smaller non-metropolitan regions where the spectre of job loss is more widespread across entire towns or regions, any rise in employment disadvantage is likely to see more significant impacts."

Professor Baum said the two groups, emerging and historically disadvantaged localities, raised different issues for policy makers.

"For the group we call 'existing disadvantage job loss suburbs', further labour market disadvantage will cement the social and economic malaise experienced by these communities and widen the gap with the rest of the nation," Professor Baum said.

He said the outcomes were different for the second 'emerging disadvantaged job loss' group, as some workers will transition with the economy, while others may not be so lucky.

"The challenges may include household and community burdens associated with increasing localised financial hardship or increases in a range of social problems seen in places that have been disadvantaged over a longer term," Professor Baum said.

"How deep and long these potential impacts will be is a matter of wait and see."

Professor Mitchell warned that withdrawing government support after the crisis is over may undo any positive outcomes.

"There is a real danger that the government will retract its support mechanisms too soon. This is something we have seen before," Professor Mitchell said.

"Ultimately how these suburbs and localities fare will depend on the impact of the Federal Government's economic rescue package and the depth of the economic downturn. Outcomes may not be as bad as some have predicted."

The full EVI 3.0 report is available online and includes a heat map tool for Australia.

Professor Bill Mitchell is Director of the University of Newcastle's Centre of Full Employment and Equity. Professor Scott Baum is a member of Griffith University's Cities Research Institute and Policy Innovation Hub.

map

The red zones indicate areas of emerging disadvantage in NSW Hunter region and surrounds.

EMERGING DISADVANTAGE JOB LOSS LOCALITIES, METROPOLITAN REGIONS

Sydney

Green Valley
Edensor Park

Melbourne

Epping - South
Gladstone Park - Westmeadows
Greenvale - Bulla
Craigieburn - Central
Hallam
Narre Warren North
Narre Warren - North East
Cranbourne South
Pearcedale - Tooradin
Narre Warren South (East)
Cairnlea
Delahey
Taylors Lakes
Dromana
Point Nepean
Rosebud – McCrae

Brisbane

Sunnybank
Bribie Island
Upper Caboolture

Adelaide

Lewiston - Two Wells
Craigmore - Blakeview
Salisbury East
Hackham - Onkaparinga Hills
Morphett Vale – East

Perth

Dawesville - Bouvard
Falcon - Wannanup
Greenfields
Halls Head - Erskine
Pinjarra
Ballajura
Stratton - Jane Brook
Alexander Heights - Koondoola
Marangaroo
Mindarie - Quinns Rocks - Jindalee
Cooloongup
Warnbro

Hobart

Brighton – Pontville

EMERGING DISADVANTAGE JOB LOSS LOCALITIES, NON-METROPOLITAN REGIONS

New South Wales

Batemans Bay
Blue Haven - San Remo
Budgewoi - Buff Point - Halekulani
Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park
Summerland Point - Gwandalan
Toukley - Norah Head
Forster
Mudgee
Maitland - West
Belmont South - Blacksmiths
Singleton
St Georges Basin - Erowal Bay
Ulladulla

Victoria

Delacombe
Colac
Moama
Echuca
Portland

Queensland

Tweed Heads
Banora Point
Mermaid Waters
Coolangatta
Currumbin Waters
Arundel
Coombabah
Currumbin Valley - Tallebudgera
Highland Park
Nerang - Mount Nathan
Jacobs Well - Alberton
Merrimac
Ashmore
Molendinar
Southport - North
Bundall
Surfers Paradise
Gympie - South
Urangan - Wondunna
Andergrove - Beaconsfield
Slade Point
South Mackay
Sippy Downs
Buddina - Minyama
Caloundra - West
Golden Beach - Pelican Waters
Noosa Heads
Noosaville
Sunshine Beach
Tewantin
Warwick

South Australia

Mount Gambier - East
Mount Gambier - West
Goolwa - Port Elliot
Victor Harbor

Western Australia

McKail - Willyung
Australind - Leschenault
Eaton - Pelican Point
East Bunbury - Glen Iris
Busselton
Busselton Region
Boulder
Kalgoorlie
Two Rocks
Mandurah - East
Mandurah - North
Mandurah – South

Tasmania

Romaine - Havenview
Somerset
Quoiba - Spreyton
Ulverstone

EXISTING DISADVANTAGE JOB LOSS LOCALITIES, METROPOLITAN AREAS