Australia Employment Unexpectedly Falls

Employment in Australia dropped by 15,800 to 14.81 million in July 2026, shifting from an upwardly revised 80,300 jump in the previous month and missing market expectations for a 15,000 gain. It marked the first monthly decline since April, driven by a 32,200 decline in part-time employment to a three-month low of 4.60 million. Meanwhile, full-time employment rose by 16,300 to a new peak of 10.21 million. The employment-to-population ratio fell to 63.9% from 64.1%, marking the first drop in three months. The participation rate slipped to 66.9% from 67.1%. Compared with a year earlier, total employment was up by 191,900, or 1.3%.

Employment in Australia rose by 76,300 to a record high of 14.82 million in June 2026, accelerating sharply from an upwardly revised 43,900 increase in May and easily surpassing market expectations for a 15,000 gain. It marked the strongest monthly job growth since April, driven by a 29,300 increase in full-time employment to 10.17 million and a 47,000 rise in part-time employment to 4.65 million. Reflecting the robust labor market, the employment-to-population ratio climbed to 64.0% from 63.7%, extending gains for a second consecutive month, while the participation rate increased to 67.0% from 66.7%. Compared with a year earlier, total employment was up by 252,000, or 1.7%.

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%.