Australia’s Jobless Rate Hits 4.6% Despite Employment Rebound

Sydney, 24 September 2026 – Australia’s unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in August even as the number of people in work increased, presenting the central bank with a more complicated picture than either figure suggests on its own. More people entered the labour force than employers absorbed, easing some hiring pressure while leaving inflation risks prominent ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s next policy meeting.

Official labour data show seasonally adjusted employment increased by 39,500 people, or 0.3%, to 14.84 million. The jobless rate climbed by 0.2 percentage point from July as the participation rate rose to 67.1%, also up 0.2 point. Part-time employment increased by roughly 45,800 while full-time employment fell by about 6,300. The mix matters because it indicates that the overall job gain did not translate into a broad advance in full-time positions.