Australia Jobless Rate Below Forecasts

Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.1% in December 2025 from 4.3% in November, below expectations of 4.4%. It marked the lowest jobless rate since May, as the number of unemployed people dropped by 29,800 to a seven-month low of 628,600 in December from 658,400 in November. Among them, the number of people seeking full-time jobs fell by 21.400 to 421,700, while those looking for part-time jobs shrank by 8,400 to 206,800. Meanwhile, employment rose by 65,200 to a record high of 14.68 million, well above forecasts of a 30,000 gain, rebounding from an upwardly revised drop of 28,700 in November. Full-time employment rose by 54,800 to 10.10 million, while part-time employment climbed by 10,400 to 4.58 million. The participation rate ticked up to 66.7% from 66.6% in November, but below estimates of 66.8%. The underemployment rate decreased to 5.7% from 6.2% in November. Additionally, total monthly hours worked across all jobs advanced by 8 million to 2,001 million.

Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.3% in November 2025, unchanged from October, below expectations of 4.4%. The number of unemployed people dropped by 2,100 to a three-month low of 662,300 in November, down from 664,400 in October. Among them, the number of people seeking part-time jobs declined by 7,600 to 216,000, while those looking for full-time jobs increased by 5,500 to 446,300. Meanwhile, employment unexpectedly fell by 21,300 to 14.66 million, missing forecasts for a 20,000 rise, shifting from a downwardly revised gain of 41,200 in October. Full-time employment decreased by 56,500 to 10.08 million, while part-time employment increased by 35,200 to 4.58 million. The participation rate edged down to 66.7% from 66.9% in October and below estimates of 67.0%, marking the lowest in eight months. The underemployment rate climbed to 6.2% from 5.7% in October. Additionally, total monthly hours worked across all jobs declined by 1 million to 1,996 million.

Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 4.3% in October 2025 from September's near four-year high of 4.5%, compared with market expectations of 4.4%. The number of unemployed people fell by 17,000 to 665,400 in October, down from 682,400 in September, which was the highest level since October 2021. Among them, the number of people seeking part-time jobs fell by 4,600 to 223,800, while those looking for full-time jobs declined by 12,200 to 441,600. Meanwhile, employment increased by 42,200 to a record high of 14.68 million, surpassing forecasts for a 20,000 rise, following an upwardly revised gain of 12,700 in September. Full-time employment increased by 55,300 to 10.14 million, while part-time employment dropped by 13,100 to 4.54 million. The participation rate was unchanged at 67.0%. The underemployment rate fell to 5.7% from 5.9% in September. Additionally, total monthly hours worked across all jobs climbed by 11 million to 1,999 million.