The Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows jobs in the south-west have declined by 6 per cent since March 14.

The only Victorian regional area hit harder is Latrobe, which has recorded a 6.1 per cent decline. Inner Melbourne has been the worst hit, with unemployment increasing by 10.3 per cent.

WDEA Works chief executive officer Tom Scarborough said there were less jobs available and there were not enough vacancies to meet demand. Mr Scarborough said people seeking jobs had come from a broad range of industries. "We've seen an increase of nearly 50 per cent in our client base across the south-west region," he said.

Mr Scarborough said it was a trying time for everybody and many of the people who found themselves without a job had not been unemployed for many years.

"There are jobs out there but not as many," he said.

"There's a deficit of jobs."

Mr Scarborough said not being able to have face to face meetings was also challenging.

But he said the company had invested in technology to ensure it could deliver its services via video conferencing and other online methods.

WDEA Works has employed 10 new staff in Warrnambool to help people seeking employment.

Earlier this month the Taylor Fry COVID-19 Financial Impact Index revealed the region had been hit hard by the virus. A company spokesman said the region's tourism industry had been hit particularly hard.

"Restrictions on movement play a big part as local and interstate tourism is non-existent at the moment," the spokesman said.

Victoria is the state worst affected by the virus when it comes to employment, with an average decline in jobs of 7.8 per cent.

Western Australia has fared the best of all states, with a 2 per cent decline in jobs, while the Northern Territory has recorded a 2.6 per cent decline.

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