And in the notes published with the March report, the ABS predicted that the unemployment rate would only rise in the immediate aftermath of the federal government's Jobseeker and Jobkeeper programs winding up on March 28.

That might comes as a surprise to the number of Bathurst business owners who say they simply cannot find workers who are willing and able to fill their vacancies - and the problem is only getting worse.

Research released by the Regional Australia Institute shows there are 66,200 jobs available in regional towns and cities across the country, the largest number since records began 10 years ago.

Regional job vacancies now account for nearly-one third of all vacancies across the country, with the Western NSW Region recording the strongest annual growth, with job ads up by 117 per cent in the year to March 2021.

But just where all those out-of-work people are is not clear, nor is it clear what barriers there may be to them taking any of the many jobs on offer.

For some it will be a question of qualifications, though many employers will happily offer on-the-job training to the right applicant.

For some, particularly those in remote areas or those who cannot drive, there will be difficulties in getting to work and for others it may be a lack of a stable home that makes it impossible to focus on the simple act of going to work each day.

And for others, hopefully not many, it will be simply a lack of will.

But what is certain is the impact not being able to find staff can have on a business' ability to grow and, in turn, our region's ability to thrive. There must be a better way.

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