Australia Jobless Rate Holds at 4.3%

2026-04-16 01:38 By Chusnul Chotimah 1 min. read

Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.3% in March 2026, unchanged from February and in line with forecasts.

Still, the latest reading remained at the highest level since last November, even as the number of unemployed fell by 3,700 to 656,300 from 660,100 in February.

The number of part-time job seekers fell by 3,800 to 217,500, while those in full-time work rose by 4,600 to 438,800.

Meanwhile, employment rose by 17,900 to 14.77 million, below estimates for a 20,000 increase, the weakest job growth since a contraction last November and following an upwardly revised gain of 49,600 in February.

Full-time employment increased by 52,500 to 10.17 million, while part-time employment dropped by 34,600 to 4.59 million.

The participation rate edged down to 66.8% from both February’s four-month high of 66.9% and market estimates.

The underemployment rate held steady at 5.9%.

Meanwhile, total monthly hours worked across all jobs rose by 9 million to 2,016 million.



News Stream
Australia Jobless Rate Holds at 4.3%
Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.3% in March 2026, unchanged from February and in line with forecasts. Still, the latest reading remained at the highest level since last November, even as the number of unemployed fell by 3,700 to 656,300 from 660,100 in February. The number of part-time job seekers fell by 3,800 to 217,500, while those in full-time work rose by 4,600 to 438,800. Meanwhile, employment rose by 17,900 to 14.77 million, below estimates for a 20,000 increase, the weakest job growth since a contraction last November and following an upwardly revised gain of 49,600 in February. Full-time employment increased by 52,500 to 10.17 million, while part-time employment dropped by 34,600 to 4.59 million. The participation rate edged down to 66.8% from both February’s four-month high of 66.9% and market estimates. The underemployment rate held steady at 5.9%. Meanwhile, total monthly hours worked across all jobs rose by 9 million to 2,016 million.
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Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.3% in February 2026, exceeding both the 4.1% forecast and levels seen in the previous two months. This marked the highest reading since November, as the number of unemployed increased by 35,000 to a three-month high of 659,100 from 624,200 in January. Those seeking full-time work grew by 31,000 to 433,000, and part-time job seekers edged up 3,900 to 226,100. Meanwhile, employment climbed 48,900 to a new peak of 14.75 million, easily beating estimates of a 20,300 increase and after an upwardly revised 26,000 gain in January. Part-time employment jumped 79,400 to 4.63 million, but full-time employment declined 30,500 to 10.12 million. The participation rate hit a four-month high of 66.9%, compared with estimates and December's 66.7%. The underemployment rate held steady at 5.9%. Meanwhile, total monthly hours worked across all jobs eased 3 million to 2,007 million.
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Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.1% in January 2026, unchanged from the previous month but slightly below market forecasts of 4.2%. It remained the lowest reading since May, underscoring continued labor market resilience. The number of unemployed edged down 19,000 to an eight-month low of 624,700 from 626,600 in December. Those seeking full-time work fell by 16,000 to 403,600, while part-time job seekers rose by 14,100 to 221,100. Meanwhile, employment increased by 17,800 to a new peak of 14.70 million, compared with estimates of a 20,000 increase and after an upwardly revised 68,500 gain in December. Full-time employment added 50,500 to 10.16 million, but part-time employment fell 32,700 to 4.55 million. The participation rate held steady at 66.7%, slightly less than the consensus of 66.8%. The underemployment rate edged up to 5.9% from 5.7% previously. Meanwhile, total monthly hours worked across all jobs grew 11 million to 2,013 million.
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