Victoria is the strongest

NSW edged out of first in State of States report

A HEALTHY job market and a growing population have helped Victoria take sole possession of top spot as Australia’s best-performing economy, according to Commsec’s latest State of the States report.

NSW dropped from equal first, while Tasmania, bolstered by housing construction and purchases, nudged ACT out of third.

Each quarter Commsec ranks Australia’s state-by-state performance, analysing eight key indicators: economic growth, retail spending, business investment, unemployment, construction work done, population growth, housing finance, and dwelling commencements.

1. VICTORIA: Victoria tied with NSW last quarter but has cemented its position at the top of the leaderboard after coming in first for economic growth, the job market, retail spending and construction work done. Commsec chief economist Craig James says it is Victoria’s economy that is strengthening rather than NSW’S weakening, with separating the top two.

2. NSW: First or second on six out of eight indicators. Home dwelling starts were little strongest in NSW due to above-normal population growth, while the state came in second for economic growth, construction work, retail spending and unemployment rates. It was, however, weakest in terms of housing finance.

3. TASMANIA: Tasmania continues to markedly improve its economic performance despite recording its highest unemployment rate since November 2014.

4. ACT: The ACT was bumped from equal third with Tasmania but still ranks second on housing finance and business investment.

5. QUEENSLAND: The Sunshine State is edging up the leaderboard thanks to strong growth in population as people move to the state from within the country and abroad, according to Mr James. The state holds fifth position on the economic performance rankings but is third for relative economic growth.

6. SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Not much separates South Australia from Queensland, and SA has held sixth position for the past 18 months.

7. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Western Australia has come in seventh for six out of the eight key indicators, and is just ahead of the Northern Territory. The state has experienced its strongest annual population growth in nearly four years.

8. NORTHERN TERRITORY: The Northern Territory falls the shortest on seven indicators but came in seventh for economic growth.