Australia: jobs and pay

How many jobs were created in Australia last month?

The number of employed people in Australia rose by 39,500 (0.3%) to 14,836,600 in August 2026, according to the ABS Labour Force Survey, released on 24 September 2026. Over the year employment rose 238,100 (1.6%). The employment-to-population ratio was 63.9%.

These are seasonally adjusted estimates from a household survey, so monthly changes carry sampling error; the ABS also publishes trend estimates, which showed a rise of 24,000. Hours worked rose 0.7% to 2,009 million in the month. The September Labour Force figures are due on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: ABS: Labour Force, Australia, August 2026

How fast are wages growing in Australia?

The Wage Price Index rose 0.8% in the June quarter 2026 and 3.2% over the twelve months, according to the ABS, released on 19 August 2026. Private sector wages rose 0.7% and public sector wages 0.9% in the quarter.

The Wage Price Index measures changes in the price of a fixed set of jobs, so it is not affected by shifts in the mix of jobs or hours worked. It excludes bonuses in its headline measure. Public administration and safety, and health care and social assistance, were the largest contributors to quarterly growth. The September quarter figures are due on 18 November 2026.

Official sources: ABS: Wage Price Index, June 2026

What is the youth unemployment rate in Australia?

Australia's youth unemployment rate rose 0.4 percentage points to 10.8% in August 2026, according to the ABS Labour Force Survey. The overall unemployment rate rose 0.2 points to 4.6%, with the rate for males at 4.8% and for females at 4.4%.

Youth means people aged 15 to 24. A person is unemployed if they have no paid work, are available and are actively looking. The youth rate moves more from month to month than the overall rate because it comes from a smaller sample. Youth figures by state are in table 14 of the release.

Official sources: ABS: Labour Force, Australia, August 2026

What is the underemployment rate in Australia?

Australia's underemployment rate was 6.2% in August 2026, down 0.1 percentage points from July and 0.5 points higher than a year earlier, according to the ABS Labour Force Survey. Underemployed people are employed but want, and are available for, more hours of work.

Together with the unemployment rate of 4.6%, this gives a broader picture of spare capacity in the labour market. The participation rate, the share of people aged 15 and over working or looking for work, was 67.1% in August. All figures are seasonally adjusted.

Official sources: ABS: Labour Force, Australia, August 2026

What is the unemployment rate in each state?

In August 2026, seasonally adjusted unemployment rates were 4.3% in New South Wales, 5.2% in Victoria, 4.5% in Queensland, 4.6% in South Australia, 4.5% in Western Australia and 5.0% in Tasmania, against 4.6% nationally, according to the ABS Labour Force Survey.

State estimates come from smaller samples than the national figure, so monthly changes are less precise. Figures for the territories, and for regions within states, are in the release's data tables. In August, employment rose most in Western Australia (0.7%) and fell in Tasmania (-1.0%).

Official sources: ABS: Labour Force, Australia, August 2026

What is the minimum wage in Australia?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Australia was 4,023 AUD a month (about $2,655), according to the ILO. No year since 2012 has been higher.

How much do workers in Australia earn on average?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2021, is $4,436 a month. Since 2012 it has ranged from $3,634 a month (2015) to $4,797 a month (2012). It is 1st highest of 14 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is $527 a month. World rank, highest first: 13th of 90.

What is the unemployment rate in Australia?

4.1%: that is the unemployment rate in Australia for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 6.4% in 2020 and the low 3.7% in 2023. It is 8th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.9%. World rank, highest first: 108th of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Australia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 9.6%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 8.4% (2023) to 14.1% (2020). East Asia & Pacific median: 7.5%; Australia is 11th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 108th of 174.

What share of people in Australia are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 66.5%. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 67.0%; its low point was 2005, at 64.5%. East Asia & Pacific median: 65.3%; Australia is 10th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 48th of 174.

What share of women in Australia are in the labour force?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Australia was 62.5%, according to the ILO. The peak was 62.6% in 2024 and the low 57.0% in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 56.3%, and Australia placed 7th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 31st of 174.

What is the employment rate in Australia?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Australia was 63.8%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 64.6%; its low point was 2014, at 60.8%. It is 11th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 63.1%. World rank, highest first: 41st of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Australia?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Australia at 9.1% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 22nd highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 40.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 147th highest.

How many people in Australia are employees?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Australia was 83.9%, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 56.8%; Australia is 4th highest of 24. Worldwide: 42nd of 174.