New data from the ABS shows while full time employment fell, part time work was on the rise last month
Australia’s unemployment rate remained steady in August at 4.2%, despite 41,000 fewer people in full-time employment.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the drop in full-time employment was offset by an increase of 35,500 people in part-time work.
The participation rate—the percentage of working-age Australians either employed or actively looking for work—fell slightly.
‘Hours worked fell 0.4 per cent in August, supported by less people working full-time hours this month,’ Mr Crick said.
“Employment fell by 5,000 people and the number of unemployed fell by 1,000 people in August. This meant that the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2 per cent, while the participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 66.8 per cent.”
The data showed women employed full-time dropped by 30,000, and males in full-time employment were down by 11,000.
There was a rise in part-time employment for both females and males, up 18,000 and 17,000 respectively, according to the ABS.
