Employment in Australia rose by 40,300 to 14.74 million in May 2026, rebounding from a revised decline of 40,700 in the previous month and surpassing market expectations for a 30,000 increase. It marked the strongest employment gain since December, driven by a 35,200 rise in part-time jobs to 4.60 million, while full-time employment also increased by 5,200 to 10.14 million. The employment-to-population ratio edged up to 63.8% from 63.7%, marking its first increase in six months. Meanwhile, the participation rate ticked up to 66.7% from 66.6%. Compared with a year earlier, total employment increased by 147,500, or 1.0%. source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Employment in Australia increased by 40343 in May of 2026. Employment Change in Australia averaged 15097.43 Persons from 1978 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 365744.00 Persons in November of 2021 and a record low of -578920.00 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 July of 2026.

Employment in Australia increased by 40343 in May 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
2026-05-21 01:30 AM
Employment Change
Apr -18.6K 23.3K 17.5K 10.0K
2026-06-25 01:30 AM
Employment Change
May 40.3K -40.7K 30K 26.0K
2026-07-23 01:30 AM
Employment Change
Jun 40.3K 15.6K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 14738.80 14698.50 Thousand May 2026
Employment Change 40343.00 -40651.00 Persons May 2026
Employment Rate 63.80 63.70 percent May 2026
Full Time Employment Chg 5160.00 -21646.00 Persons May 2026
Job Vacancies 329.50 337.90 Thousand Jun 2026
Participation Rate 66.70 66.60 percent May 2026
Labour Costs 108.70 107.80 points Mar 2026
Part Time Employment Chg 35183.00 -19006.00 Persons May 2026
Population 27.70 27.40 Million Dec 2025
Productivity 99.60 100.20 points Mar 2026
Unemployed Persons 671.30 689.60 Thousand May 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.40 4.50 percent May 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 10.40 11.00 percent May 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
40343.00 -40651.00 365744.00 -578920.00 1978 - 2026 Persons Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
Australia Employment Bounces Back
Employment in Australia rose by 40,300 to 14.74 million in May 2026, rebounding from a revised decline of 40,700 in the previous month and surpassing market expectations for a 30,000 increase. It marked the strongest employment gain since December, driven by a 35,200 rise in part-time jobs to 4.60 million, while full-time employment also increased by 5,200 to 10.14 million. The employment-to-population ratio edged up to 63.8% from 63.7%, marking its first increase in six months. Meanwhile, the participation rate ticked up to 66.7% from 66.6%. Compared with a year earlier, total employment increased by 147,500, or 1.0%.
2026-06-25
Australia Employment Unexpectedly Drops
Employment in Australia fell by 18,600 to a 14.74 million in April 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