Australia labor market stays solid in January, employment change blows past expectations


Australia’s jobs market remains a bright spot for the economy, figures published by the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released soon before press time showed. 

Employment jumped by 39,100 in January, beating the estimated increase of 15,000 over the month, leaving the jobless rate unchanged at 5 percent. 

Notably, full-time jobs surged by 65,400, following the decline of 3,000 jobs in December, while part-time employment fell by 26,300, following the jump of 24,600 jobs in December. 

The upbeat data should comfort policymakers who are counting on sustained labor market strength to boost wage price inflation and consumption. 

January Key points (Source: ABS)

Trend estimates

  • Employed persons increased 24,900 to 12,747,700. Full-time employed persons increased 16,800 to 8,737,400 and part-time employed persons increased 8,100 to 4,010,300.
  • Unemployed persons increased 1,800 to 680,100.
  • Unemployment rate remained steady at 5.1%.
  • Participation rate remained steady at 65.7%.
  • Monthly hours worked in all jobs increased 1.6 million hours to 1763.2 million hours.

Sesaonally adjusted estimates

  • Employed persons increased 39,100 to 12,751,800. Full-time employed persons increased 65,400 to 8,743,100 and part-time employed persons decreased 26,300 to 4,008,700.
  • Unemployed persons increased 6,600 to 673,500.
  • Unemployment rate remained steady at 5.0%.
  • Participation rate increased 0.1 pts to 65.7%.
  • Monthly hours worked in all jobs increased 6.6 million hours to 1766.4 million hours.

Labor underutilization

  • The monthly trend underemployment rate remained steady at 8.3%. The monthly underutilization rate remained steady at 13.3%.
  • The monthly seasonally adjusted underemployment rate decreased 0.2 pts to 8.1%. The monthly underutilization rate decreased 0.1 pts to 13.2%.
Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD holds above 1.0750 to start the week

EUR/USD holds above 1.0750 to start the week

EUR/USD trades in positive territory above 1.0750 in the European session on Monday. The US Dollar struggles to find demand following Friday's disappointing labor market data and helps the pair hold its ground. 

EUR/USD News

GBP/USD edges higher toward 1.2600

GBP/USD edges higher toward 1.2600

Following Friday's volatile action, GBP/USD pushes higher toward 1.2600 on Monday. Soft April jobs report from the US and the modest improvement seen in risk mood make it difficult for the US Dollar to gather strength.

GBP/USD News

Gold rebounds above $2,310 after downbeat NFP data, eyes on Fedspeak

Gold rebounds above $2,310 after downbeat NFP data, eyes on Fedspeak

Gold price trades in positive territory above $2,310 after closing the previous week in the red. The weaker-than-expected US employment data have boosted the odds of a September Fed rate cut, hurting the USD and helping XAU/USD find support.

Gold News

Addressing the crypto investor dilemma: To invest or not? Premium

Addressing the crypto investor dilemma: To invest or not?

Bitcoin price trades around $63,000 with no directional bias. The consolidation has pushed crypto investors into a state of uncertainty. Investors can expect a bullish directional bias above $70,000 and a bearish one below $50,000.

Read more

Week ahead: BoE and RBA decisions headline a calm week

Week ahead: BoE and RBA decisions headline a calm week

Bank of England meets on Thursday, unlikely to signal rate cuts. Reserve Bank of Australia could maintain a higher-for-longer stance. Elsewhere, Bank of Japan releases summary of opinions.

Read more

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures