SA jobless rate dips but still high

South Australia's jobless rate dipped in September, but remains the worst among the states.

SA's unemployment fell to 7.7 per cent last month, down from 7.9 per cent in August.

Employment Minister Gail Gago says the government is still focused on helping those who are struggling to find work.

"We recognise the difficult road ahead for many workers as we transition from the old economy to the new economy," Ms Gago said on Thursday.

But opposition employment spokesman David Pisoni says it's particularly worrying that the participation rate has fallen by almost a full percentage point to 61.7 per cent.

"South Australia's disastrous unemployment rate has seen people give up looking for work," he said.

"South Australia is stuck in an economic rut and the government is clueless as to how to lead us out of it."

Ms Gago said the state government was working to diversify the economy through long-term structural reform, while investing in new and growing industries to protect and create jobs.

Nationally, the jobless rate was steady at 6.2 per cent.

Business SA chief executive Nigel McBride said the improvement in the jobless rate was largely due to the fall in the participation rate, and did not reflect the upcoming losses at companies including Alinta Energy, Santos and BHP Billiton.

"Any job losses are tough to deal with but governments need to remain focused on the long-term policy actions which can help create sustainable jobs," Mr McBride said.