Australia Jobless Rate Unchanged at 4.4%

Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.4% in June, in line with both market expectations and May’s figure. The number of unemployed rose by 12,700 to 686,800 from 674,100 in May, with the number of full-time job seekers increasing by 13,300 to 457,300, while the number of part-time job seekers fell by 600 to 229,500. Employment increased by 76,300 to a record high of 14.82 million, surpassing estimates of a 15,000 increase, following an upwardly revised gain of 43,900 jobs in May. Full-time employment climbed by 29,300 to 10.17 million, while part-time employment increased by 47,100 to 4.65 million. The participation rate ticked up to 67.0% from both May's figure and market expectations of 66.7%, marking its highest level since July 2025. The underemployment rate edged up to 6.5% from 6.3%. Meanwhile, total monthly hours worked across all jobs increased by 5 million to 2,014 million.

Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched down to 4.4% in May, from April’s more than four-year high of 4.5%, in line with market expectations. The number of unemployed fell by 18,300 to 671,300 from 689,600 in April, with the number of part-time job seekers falling by 9,700 to 230,500, while the number of full-time job seekers dropped by 8,600 to 440,800. Employment increased by 40,300 to 14.74 million, surpassing estimates for a 30,000 rise, the strongest employment gain since December, rebounding from an upwardly revised loss of 40,700 jobs in April. Full-time employment rose by 5,200 to 10.14 million, while part-time employment increased by 35,200 to 4.60 million. The participation rate edged up to 66.7% from a downwardly revised 66.6% in April, which was the lowest level in five months, matching market estimates. The underemployment rate inched up to 5.9% from 5.8%. Meanwhile, total monthly hours worked across all jobs decreased by 22 million to 2,010 million.

Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.5% in April, above both the previous month and market expectations of 4.3%. It was the highest level since November 2021, as the number of unemployed rose by 33,000 to 692,500 from 659,500 in March. The number of part-time job seekers climbed by 22,300 to 241,700, while those in full-time work rose by 10,700 to 450,800. Employment unexpectedly fell by 18,600 to 14.74 million, defying estimates for a 17,500 increase, marking the first decline in five months, after an upwardly revised gain of 23,300 in March. Full-time employment dropped by 43,900 to 10.16 million, while part-time employment fell by 11,900 to 4.58 million. The participation rate edged down to a three-month low of 66.7% from March’s level and market estimates of 66.8%. The underemployment rate inched down to 5.8% from 5.9%. Meanwhile, total monthly hours worked across all jobs increased by 16 million to 2,036 million.