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%. source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Employment in Australia increased by 17830 in January of 2026. Employment Change in Australia averaged 15141.10 Persons from 1978 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 368421.00 Persons in November of 2021 and a record low of -579535.00 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 March of 2026.

Employment in Australia increased by 17830 in January of 2026. Employment Change in Australia is expected to be 34200.00 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
2026-01-22 12:30 AM
Employment Change
Dec 65.2K -28.7K 30K 40.0K
2026-02-19 12:30 AM
Employment Change
Jan 17.8K 68.5K 20K 25.0K
2026-03-19 12:30 AM
Employment Change
Feb 17.8K 10.0K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 14703.80 14686.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Change 17830.00 68535.00 Persons Jan 2026
Employment Rate 63.90 64.00 percent Jan 2026
Full Time Employment Chg 50498.00 56849.00 Persons Jan 2026
Job Vacancies 326.70 327.20 Thousand Dec 2025
Participation Rate 66.70 66.70 percent Jan 2026
Labour Costs 107.90 107.40 points Dec 2025
Part Time Employment Chg -32668.00 11686.00 Persons Jan 2026
Population 27.40 26.97 Million Dec 2024
Productivity 100.10 100.10 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 624.70 626.60 Thousand Jan 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.10 4.10 percent Jan 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 9.50 9.10 percent Jan 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
17830.00 68535.00 368421.00 -579535.00 1978 - 2026 Persons Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
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
Australia Employment Rebounds to Record Levels
Employment in Australia jumped 65,200 to a record peak of 14.68 million in December 2025, shifting from a revised 28,700 decline in the previous month and easily exceeding market expectations of a 30,000 increase. The latest result indicated the fastest monthly rise since April, as full-time employment climbed 54,800, swinging from a revised 65,300 drop in November. Meanwhile, part-time employment increased by 10,400, easing from an upwardly revised 36,600 gain previously. The employment-to-population ratio went up to 64.0% from November's 63.8%, and the participation rate edged up to 66.7% from the prior 66.6%. On an annual basis, total employment rose by 165,400, or 1.1%.
2026-01-22
Australia Employment Unexpectedly Falls
Employment in Australia dropped by 21,300 to 14.66 million in November 2025, swinging from a downwardly revised 41,200 gain in the previous month and missing market expectations of a 20,000 increase. The latest result marked the steepest drop in nine months, as full-time employment declined by 56,500 to 10.08 million, reversing a downwardly revised 53,500 rise in October. Meanwhile, part-time employment increased by 35,200 after a downwardly revised 12,500 rise previously. The employment-to-population ratio fell to 63.8% from October's 64.0% and the participation rate eased to 66.7% from the prior 66.9%. On an annual basis, total employment rose by 182,400, or 1.3%.
2025-12-11