This note provides commentary and analysis on the monthly labour force survey data, which estimates Australian employment, unemployment, underemployment, labour participation and hours worked.
- 19 Feb 2026 Labour Force January 2026
Employment rose a seasonally adjusted 17.8k in January, broadly in line with market expectations for a 20.0k gain. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate unexpectedly remained at 4.1% in January. The Western Australian unemployment rate, at 3.4%, is the lowest nationwide
- 22 Jan 2026 Labour Force December 2025
Seasonally adjusted employment bounced by 65.2k in December, exceeding market expectations of a 27.0k gain. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate saw an unexpected 0.2ppts decline to a seven-month low of 4.1%.
- 11 Dec 2025 Labour Force November 2025
Seasonally adjusted employment fell 21.3k in November (mkt exp +20k) following a 41.1k increase in October (revised from 42.2k). The decline was driven by full-time employment, following a solid increase in October.
- 13 Nov 2025 Labour Force October 2025
Seasonally adjusted employment surged by 42.2k in October, double the 20.0k expected by the markets. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by 0.2ppts to 4.3%, slightly below market expectations of 4.4%.
- 16 Oct 2025 Labour Force September 2025
Seasonally adjusted employment rose by 14.9k in September, somewhat less than the 20.0k gain expected by markets. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from the upwardly revised 4.3% in August to 4.5%, which is the highest level since November 2021.
- 18 Sep 2025 Labour Force August 2025
Seasonally adjusted employment declined by 5.4k in August, which was a surprise to market participants, who were expecting a gain of 21.0k. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, in line with expectations, but mainly thanks to a decline in labour force participation.