A RECENT report from the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) analysing data from the Federal Government’s Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) department has reported a significant downturn in jobs advertised in regional Victoria in the 12 months to February 2024, the worst performing area in the country.

The 12.1 per cent drop in jobs advertised matched a drop in the combined capital cities but attributed much of the negative return to areas around Ballarat and in the Central Highlands.