Australia Unemployment Rate1978-2021 Data | 2022-2023 Forecast | Calendar

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 6.4% in January of 2021 from 6.6% a month earlier and below market consensus of 6.5%. This was the lowest jobless rate since April, as the economy emerged gradually from the COVID-19 shocks. The number of unemployed declined by 34,300 to 877,600 people, as people looking for full-time work was down by 40,300 to 618,400 and those looking for only part-time work decreased by 5,900 to 259,200. Employment grew by 29,100 to 12,939,900, missing market estimates of an increase of 40,000, as full-time employment went up by 59,000 to 8,820,400, while part-time employment dropped 29,800 to 4,119,500. The participation rate was at 66.1%, compared with forecasts and December's 16-month high of 66.2%. The underemployment rate fell 0.4 points to 8.1%, and the underutilization rate dropped 0.6 points to 14.5%. Monthly hours worked in all jobs fell 86 million hours, or 4.9% to 1,667 million hours.

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 6.6% in December 2020 from 6.8% a month earlier and below market consensus of 6.7%. This was the lowest jobless rate since April, as the economy emerged gradually from the COVID-19 shocks. The number of unemployed declined by 30,100 to 912,000 people, as people looking for full-time work was down by 14,300 to 658,700 and those looking for only part-time work declined by 15,800 to 253,300. Employment grew by 50,000 to 12,910,800, matching market estimates, as full-time employment went up by 35,700 to 8,761,400, and part-time employment gained 14,300 to 4,149,300. The participation rate edged up to a 16-month high of 66.2% in December from 66.1% in November, in line with forecasts. The underemployment rate fell to 0.8 points to 8.5%, and the underutilization rate dropped 1.1 points to 15.1%. Monthly hours worked in all jobs rose 2 million hours, or 0.1% to 1,753 million hours.

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate unexpectedly was at 6.8% in November 2020, compared with market consensus and October's figure of 7%. This was the lowest jobless rate since August, as the economy emerged gradually from the COVID-19 hit. The number of unemployed declined by 17,300 to 942,100 people, as people looking for full-time work was down by 11,400 to 673,000 and those looking for only part-time work rose by 5,900 to 269,100. Employment grew by 90,000 to 12,860,700, beating estimates of a 50,000 gain, as full-time employment went up by 84,200 to 8,725,700, and part-time employment gained 5,800 to 4,135,000. The participation rate rose to a ten-month high of 66.1% in November from 65.8% in October, above forecasts of 66%. The underemployment rate fell to 9.4% from 10.4% in the prior month, and the underutilization rate dropped 1.2 points to 16.2%. Monthly hours worked in all jobs rose 42.8 million hours, or 2.5% to 1,752 million hours.

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 7% in October 2020 from 6.9% in September but below market consensus of 7.2%. This was the highest jobless rate since July, amid the prolonged COVID-19 crisis. The number of unemployed increased by 25,500 to 960,900 people, as people looking for full-time work was down by 16,000 to 684,800 and those looking for only part-time work advanced 41,500 to 276,100. Employment soared by 178,800 to 12,773,900, beating estimates of a 30,000 fall, as full-time employment went up by 97,000 to 8,643,700, and part-time employment gained 81,800 to 4,130,200. The participation rate rose to a seven-month high of 65.8% in October from an upwardly revised 64.9% in September, above forecasts of 64.7%. The underemployment rate fell to 10.4% from 11.4% in the prior month, and the underutilization rate dropped 0.9 points to 17.4%. Monthly hours worked in all jobs rose 20.6 million hours, or 1.2% to 1,711 million hours.