How did Australian employment numbers change according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in June?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that Australia added 76,000 jobs in June, keeping the national unemployment rate steady at 4.4%. The surge in total employment was partly driven by workers who were waiting to start positions in May.

What drove the part-time versus full-time employment growth reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported a 47,000 person increase in part-time employment in June, alongside a 1.2% rise in part-time working hours. In contrast, full-time working hours remained flat during the month.

What does the participation rate increase recorded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics mean for total jobseekers?

The national participation rate climbed 0.3 percentage points to 67% as 13,000 additional people entered unemployment, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Overall annual employment growth reached 1.7% compared to June 2025.

How is workforce participation changing among older workers according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics?

Older Australians aged 55 to 64 years recorded the largest annual growth in workforce participation, rising 0.8 percentage points to 70.6%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Total hours worked across all demographics expanded by 1.8% over the twelve-month period.

Why is the Australian Bureau of Statistics updating its labour survey systems alongside the 2026 Census?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is modernising its labour force survey systems to transition to new online collection processes. Selected surveyed households will also complete the 2026 Census on Aug. 11 during this system transition.

Economy

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Australian unemployment rate held at 4.4% in June

Written by Liezl GambePublished Jul 23, 2026, 2:29 AM

Australia added 76,000 jobs in June, maintaining the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at 4.4%.
The national participation rate climbed 0.3 percentage points to 67% as 13,000 more people entered unemployment.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics stated it is modernising its labour force survey systems alongside the upcoming 2026 census collection.

The Australian unemployment rate remained steady at 4.4% in June following a 76,000 person surge in total employment across the country, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The recent job growth outperformed typical winter seasonal shifts because a portion of the increase stemmed from workers who were waiting to start positions in May.

"In June, we recorded a 76,000 person rise in employment, driven by a 47,000 person rise in part-time employment," said ABS Head of Labour Statistics Sean Crick.

Part-time working hours led the overall gains with a 1.2% increase during the month, while full-time hours remained flat.

Annual employment growth reached 1.7% compared to June 2025, while total hours worked expanded by 1.8% over the same twelve-month period.

Older Australians aged 55 to 64 years recorded the largest annual growth in workforce participation, rising 0.8 percentage points to 70.6%.

The ABS noted that some surveyed households will also complete the 2026 Census on Aug. 11 as the agency transitions to new online collection systems.