UNEMPLOYMENT in the City of Ipswich climbed to 5.7 per cent in the final quarter of 2024, well above Queensland’s average of 4 per cent and the national figure of 4.1 per cent.
The increase marks a shift from 2023, when the local unemployment rate sat at 4.4 per cent, although it remains lower than the 6.8 per cent recorded in 2022.
The rise in unemploy-ment comes at a time when workplace disengagement is becoming a growing concern across the country.
New research reveals that fewer Australian workers are feeling connected and motivated on the job – a trend that could have wider implications for productivity and job satisfaction.
According to the second edition of ADP Australia’s People at Work 2025 report, only 16 per cent of Australian employees are fully engaged at work.
For East Ipswich local Sarah Watkins, a customer service officer at a logistics company, a supportive team makes all the difference.
“I actually look forward to going to work because of my team,” she said.
“We back each other up, celebrate wins, and our manager listens when we’ve got ideas. It really helps me stay motivated.”
But not all local workers are having the same experience in the workplace.
James Rahila, a warehouse assistant who has been job hunting for the past month, said low morale and a lack
of recognition pushed him to seek new opportunities.
“It just got to the point where I felt invisible,” he said.
“No matter how hard you worked, there was no thanks, no feedback, nothing. People were just going through the motions.”
ADP Australia Human Resources Director Emmy Andriotis said the findings highlighted the need for businesses to rethink traditional approaches to workforce management.
“Our research demonstrates that employee engagement ultimately comes down to how connected people feel to their teams and employer,” she said.
“Businesses must move away from one-size-fits-all models.”
With local unemployment rising and national engagement falling, the Ipswich region faces increasing pressure to support workforce development.
