WS News
24 Sep 2026, 05:30
Australia Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.6% Despite Stronger Employment Growth
Australia’s unemployment rate increased to 4.6% in August from 4.5%, slightly above the 4.5% consensus estimate, even as total employment rose more strongly than expected.
Employment increased by 39,500 in August, beating expectations for a 21,500 gain and reversing the previous month’s 15,900 decline. However, full-time employment fell by 6,300 after rising by 14,900 previously, indicating that the headline job gain was driven by part-time employment.
The combination points to a mixed labor-market picture: hiring improved overall, but the rise in unemployment and decline in full-time jobs suggest some underlying softening.
Australia’s unemployment rate increased to 4.6% in August from 4.5%, slightly above the 4.5% consensus estimate, even as total employment rose more strongly than expected.
Employment increased by 39,500 in August, beating expectations for a 21,500 gain and reversing the previous month’s 15,900 decline. However, full-time employment fell by 6,300 after rising by 14,900 previously, indicating that the headline job gain was driven by part-time employment.
The combination points to a mixed labor-market picture: hiring improved overall, but the rise in unemployment and decline in full-time jobs suggest some underlying softening.
