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

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.6 percent in March 2021, the lowest in a year and slightly below market consensus of 5.7 percent, as the economy recovered further from the disruption caused by COVID-19. The number of unemployed declined 27,100 to 778.1 thousand, while employment grew 70,700 to a record high of 13.078 million, easily beating market forecasts of a 35,000 increase, with part-time employment advancing 91,500 and full-time employment falling by 20,800. The participation rate unexpectedly rose 0.2 points to a record peak of 66.3 percent, also beating forecasts of 66.1 percent. The underemployment rate dropped 0.6 points to 7.9 percent, and the underutilization rate decreased 0.8 points to 13.5 percent. Monthly hours worked in all jobs were higher than March 2020, for the first time during the COVID period.

Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.8% in February 2021 from 6.4% a month earlier and below market consensus of 6.3%. This was the lowest jobless rate since March 2020, as the economy recovered further from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 shocks. The number of unemployed declined by 69,900 to 805,200 people, as people looking for full-time work was down by 39,800 to 576,700 and those looking for only part-time work decreased by 30,100 to 228,500. Employment grew by 88,700 to a one-year high of 13,006,900, easily beating market estimates of an increase of 30,000, as full-time employment went up by 89,100 to 8,895,000, while part-time employment dropped 500 to 4,111,900. The participation rate stayed at 66.1% and below forecasts of 66.2%. The underemployment rate rose 0.4 points to 8.5%, and the underutilization rate fell 0.1 points to 14.4%. Monthly hours worked in all jobs gained 102 million hours, or 6.1% to 1,767 million hours.

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.