Australia Unemployment Rate2021 Data | 2022 Forecast | 1978-2020 Historical

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment climbed to 5.2% in October 2021 from 4.6% a month earlier and above market estimates of 4.8%. This was the highest reading since April, amid the Delta lockdowns in several states ahead of easing from mid-October. The number of unemployed jumped 81,800 to 707,300 as people looking for full-time work increased 42,200 to 460,400, and those looking for the only part-time added 39,300 to 246,900. Meanwhile, employment unexpectedly fell 46,300 to 12.84 million, missing market forecasts of a 50,000 gain, with part-time employment decreasing 5,900 while full-time employment declining 40,000. The participation rate inched up 0.1 points to 64.7 percent, below estimates of 64.9. The underemployment rate was up 0.3 points to 9.5 percent, and the underutilization rate rose 0.9 points to 14.7 percent. Monthly hours worked in all jobs dropped 1 million, or 0.1 percent, to 1,727 million hours.

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 4.6% in September 2021, little changed from a near 13-year low of 4.5% in August and compared with market consensus of 4.8%. This was also the first rise in the jobless rate since September 2020, amid extended lockdowns in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. The number of unemployed rose by 8,900 to 626 thousand, as people looking for full-time work increased 4,900 to 418,400, and those looking for only part-time added 4,100 to 207,700. Meanwhile, employment fell 138,000 to 12.88 million, in line with forecasts, with part-time employment declining 164,700 while full-time employment increased 26,700. The participation rate was down 0.7 points to 64.5 percent, below estimates of 64.7. The underemployment rate inched down 0.1 points to 9.2 percent, and the underutilization rate rose 0.1 points to 13.9 percent. Monthly hours worked in all jobs advanced 15 million, or 0.9 percent, to 1,729 million hours.

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate unexpectedly edged down to 4.5% in August 2021 from 4.6% in June and compared with market consensus of 4.9%. This was the tenth straight month of fall in the jobless rate and the lowest reading since November 2008, as the economy recovered further from the COVID-19 hit. The number of unemployed declined 21,900 to 617.1 thousand, as people looking for full-time work decreased 24,500 to 413,500, while those looking for only part-time added 2,700 to 203,600. Meantime, employment fell 146,300 to 13.02 million, worse than forecasts of a 90,000 decline, with full-time employment decreasing 6,800. and part-time employment declining 78,200. The participation rate was down 0.8 points to 65.2 percent, below estimates of 65.7. The underemployment rate rose 1.0 points to 9.3 percent, and the underutilization rate gained 0.9 points to 13.8 percent. Monthly hours worked in all jobs dropped 66 million, or 3.7 percent, to 1,714 million hours.