Canberra's labour market has seen a boost, despite the economic downturn from COVID-19, new figures show.
Employment growth in the ACT is set to reach 4 per cent for the year to June, according to the ACT government.
The numbers come ahead of the ACT budget, which is set to be handed down by Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr on Tuesday.
Employment growth was expected to be stagnant for the 2020-21 financial year, based on the ACT economic update delivered in August last year, which had predicted a 0.25 per cent contraction.
Mr Barr said it was reassuring that job numbers for women and young people aged between 15 and 24 were now above levels seen before the pandemic in March 2020.
"This is great news for Canberra. It demonstrates that our collective efforts have been effective," Mr Barr said.
"The ACT's unemployment rate of 3.7 per cent and underemployment rate of 6.0 per cent in December 2020 remain the lowest of all jurisdictions, and our participation rate of 72.2 per cent is the second highest of all jurisdictions."
It's estimated more than 10,000 jobs were lost in the ACT between April and May last year during the height of the pandemic.
The territory government has flagged assistance for industries affected by international border closures, including tourism, in the upcoming budget.
