Employment in Australia rose by 17,900 to a record 14.76 million in March 2026, slowing sharply from an upwardly revised 49,600 increase in the previous month and missing market expectations for a 20,000 gain. The softer outcome marked the weakest job growth since a contraction last November. Full-time employment remained resilient, rising by 52,500 to 10.17 million, while part-time employment fell by 34,600 to 4.59 million, partially offsetting overall gains and pointing to a shift in job composition. The employment-to-population ratio remained unchanged at 64.0% for the fourth straight month, while the participation rate edged down to 66.8% from the prior 66.9%. On an annual basis, total employment rose by 258,800, or 1.8%. source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Employment in Australia increased by 17878 in March of 2026. Employment Change in Australia averaged 15199.27 Persons from 1978 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 368403.00 Persons in November of 2021 and a record low of -579205.00 Persons in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Australia Employment Change - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Australia Employment Change - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Employment in Australia increased by 17878 in March of 2026. Employment Change in Australia is expected to be -15600.00 Persons by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Australia Employment Change is projected to trend around 15000.00 Persons in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-19 12:30 AM
Employment Change
Feb 48.9K 26.0K 20.3K 10.0K
2026-04-16 01:30 AM
Employment Change
Mar 17.9K 49.6K 20K 34.2K
2026-05-21 01:30 AM
Employment Change
Apr 17.9K 10.0K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 14767.70 14749.80 Thousand Mar 2026
Employment Change 17878.00 49653.00 Persons Mar 2026
Employment Rate 64.00 64.00 percent Mar 2026
Full Time Employment Chg 52527.00 -27695.00 Persons Mar 2026
Job Vacancies 337.90 329.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Participation Rate 66.80 66.90 percent Mar 2026
Labour Costs 107.90 107.40 points Dec 2025
Part Time Employment Chg -34649.00 77348.00 Persons Mar 2026
Population 27.40 26.97 Million Dec 2024
Productivity 100.10 100.10 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 656.30 660.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.30 4.30 percent Mar 2026
Wage Price Index YoY 3.40 3.30 percent Dec 2025
Wages 1562.40 1542.30 AUD/Week Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 1770.30 1715.50 AUD/Week Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 10.10 10.20 percent Mar 2026


Australia Employment Change
In Australia, employment change refers to the absolute change in the number of persons who work for pay or profit, or perform unpaid family work. Estimates include both full-time and part-time employment.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
17878.00 49653.00 368403.00 -579205.00 1978 - 2026 Persons Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
Australia Employment Rises Less than Expected
Employment in Australia rose by 17,900 to a record 14.76 million in March 2026, slowing sharply from an upwardly revised 49,600 increase in the previous month and missing market expectations for a 20,000 gain. The softer outcome marked the weakest job growth since a contraction last November. Full-time employment remained resilient, rising by 52,500 to 10.17 million, while part-time employment fell by 34,600 to 4.59 million, partially offsetting overall gains and pointing to a shift in job composition. The employment-to-population ratio remained unchanged at 64.0% for the fourth straight month, while the participation rate edged down to 66.8% from the prior 66.9%. On an annual basis, total employment rose by 258,800, or 1.8%.
2026-04-16
Australia Employment Grows More than Estimated
Employment in Australia jumped 48,900 to a fresh peak of 14.75 million in February 2026, accelerating from an upwardly revised 26,000 gain in the previous month, compared with market expectations of a 20,300 increase. The latest result indicated the third straight month of monthly growth, as part-time employment surged 79,400 to 4.63 million, but full-time employment declined 30,500 to 10.12 million. The employment-to-population ratio remained unchanged at 64.0%, and the participation rate increased to 66.9% from the prior 66.7%. On an annual basis, total employment rose by 264,700, or 1.8%.
2026-03-19
Australia Employment Growth Slows But Hits New High
Employment in Australia increased 17,800 to a new peak of 14.70 million in January 2026, following an upwardly revised 68,500 jump in the previous month, compared with market expectations of a 20,000 increase. The latest result indicated the second straight month of monthly growth, as full-time employment added 50,500 to 10.16 million, but part-time employment fell 32,700 to 4.55 million. The employment-to-population ratio edged lower to 63.9% from December's 64.0%, and the participation rate held steady at 66.7%. On an annual basis, total employment rose by 150,200, or 1.0%.
2026-02-19