The Wollongong mining sector has experienced a decline in worker productivity over the past decade compared to the state and national average, according to new data from the Wollongong City Council.
In 2012-13, productivity per worker in Wollongong was $723,005, while NSW recorded $786,342, and Australia as a whole reached $898,672 . Over the next few years, all three regions experienced steady growth.
By 2014-15, Wollongong’s productivity had increased to $829,391, NSW to $972,987, and Australia to AU $1,157,509.
However, the upward trend started to slow after 2014-15.
In 2015-16, Wollongong’s productivity per worker dropped slightly to $772,032, while NSW fell to $930,117, and Australia reached $1,240,067, marking the highest national productivity of the decade.
The following years saw more volatility, with Wollongong’s productivity fluctuating between $784,554 in 2017-18 and $864,899 in 2019-20, while NSW ranged from $855,811 to $920,661. During the same period, Australia’s productivity peaked at $1,273,704 units in 2018-19 before seeing a decline.
By 2020-21, productivity fell across all regions. Wollongong saw a significant drop to $778,580, while NSW and Australia also saw declines, with figures of $815,701 and $1,201,622, respectively. This trend continued in 2021-22, when Wollongong’s productivity reached its lowest point at $681,102, NSW fell to $685,705, and Australia dropped to $1,085,716.
The most recent data from 2022-23 shows some recovery, with Wollongong’s productivity rising to $726,797, NSW increasing to $741,860, and Australia seeing a slight rise to $1,061,787, although that is still below previous peaks.
