Werribee has the highest unemployment rate of any suburb in Wyndham at 11.4 per cent, according to figures released by LeadWest.
The quarterly data also reveals Wyndham’s overall jobless rate remained unchanged at seven per cent from March to June, while surrounding local government areas experienced a slight drop.
Unemployment in Point Cook sits at 3.5 per cent – below the September national average of 5.1 per cent.
LeadWest chief executive Craig Rowley said there were a number of reasons why Wyndham was experiencing above-average unemployment.
“Housing contributes to the clustering of unemployment rates as disadvantaged workers seek cheaper housing,” Mr Rowley said.
“Data on tenure of housing and average weekly rent prices in Melbourne’s west suggest the clustering of unemployed people is related to housing affordability.”
Mr Rowley said not enough jobs were created in the region and positions that were created required skills that unemployed locals had yet to attain.
He said access from homes to jobs in neighbouring regions needed to be improved and more people had to be given the skills to undertake these jobs.
Looking to the future, Mr Rowley said he believed there was hope for the region.
“Melbourne’s west is one of the fastest- growing regions in Australia,” he said.
“With that growth comes enormous opportunity as more people and businesses arrive in the region to benefit from its location, ease of connectivity and affordability.
“Melbourne’s west is now a key pillar of Victoria’s economy and Australia’s productivity. Prospects here are very good.
“The combination of strategic location, unparalleled connectivity, a surging population, a diverse, and skilled local workforce and low-cost land and office space make Melbourne’s west a unique opportunity for investment within Victoria, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.”
