Employment in Australia fell by 18,600 to a 14.74 million in March 2026, reversing an upwardly revised 23,300 increase in the previous month and missing market expectations for a 17,500 gain. It was the first decline since November, as full-time employment shrank by 10,700 to 10.16 million and part-time employment slid 7,900 to 4.58 million. The employment-to-population ratio remained was down to 63.7% from the prior 63.9, marking the fifth straight month of decline. Meanwhile, the participation rate edged down to 66.7% from the prior 66.8%. On an annual basis, total employment rose by 128,900, or 0.9%. source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Employment in Australia decreased by 18630 in April of 2026. Employment Change in Australia averaged 15121.04 Persons from 1978 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 365339.00 Persons in November of 2021 and a record low of -578776.00 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 decreased by 18630 in April 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 -14000.00 Persons in 2027 and -2000.00 Persons in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
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 -18.6K 23.3K 17.5K 10.0K
2026-06-18 01:30 AM
Employment Change
May -18.6K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 14737.40 14756.00 Thousand Apr 2026
Employment Change -18630.00 23331.00 Persons Apr 2026
Employment Rate 63.70 63.90 percent Apr 2026
Full Time Employment Chg -10701.00 63352.00 Persons Apr 2026
Job Vacancies 337.90 329.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Participation Rate 66.70 66.80 percent Apr 2026
Labour Costs 107.90 107.40 points Dec 2025
Part Time Employment Chg -7929.00 -40021.00 Persons Apr 2026
Population 27.70 27.40 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 100.10 100.10 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 692.50 659.50 Thousand Apr 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.50 4.30 percent Apr 2026
Wage Price Index YoY 3.30 3.40 percent Mar 2026
Wages 1562.40 1542.30 AUD/Week Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 1770.30 1715.50 AUD/Week Dec 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 11.10 10.20 percent Apr 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
-18630.00 23331.00 365339.00 -578776.00 1978 - 2026 Persons Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
Australia Employment Unexpectedly Drops
Employment in Australia fell by 18,600 to a 14.74 million in March 2026, reversing an upwardly revised 23,300 increase in the previous month and missing market expectations for a 17,500 gain. It was the first decline since November, as full-time employment shrank by 10,700 to 10.16 million and part-time employment slid 7,900 to 4.58 million. The employment-to-population ratio remained was down to 63.7% from the prior 63.9, marking the fifth straight month of decline. Meanwhile, the participation rate edged down to 66.7% from the prior 66.8%. On an annual basis, total employment rose by 128,900, or 0.9%.
2026-05-21
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