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%.

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%.

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%.