Australia sees 'a marginal increase to employment,' CEO says
Australian unemployment and under-employment climbed to 3.46 million people in December, marking the 13th consecutive month that more than three million Australians have been out of work or unable to secure enough hours, according to new figures from Roy Morgan.
Its latest employment estimates show that in December 2025, an estimated 1,669,000 Australians were unemployed, representing 10.4% of the workforce, while a further 1,787,000 people were under-employed, or working part-time but seeking more hours. In total, 21.5% of the workforce was either unemployed or under-employed.
Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said the latest data underlined the continuing strain on Australians who cannot find work or enough paid hours.
"The latest Roy Morgan employment estimates for December show overall Australian unemployment and under-employment increasing 119,000 to 3,456,000 (21.5% of the workforce, up 0.6%). Concerningly, overall unemployment and under-employment have been above three million over a year," Levine said.
The December figures show both categories of labour under-utilisation worsening over the month. Unemployment rose by 41,000 people, while under-employment increased by 78,000 to 1,787,000 people, or 11.1% of the workforce.
Roy Morgan reported that more people were actively seeking full-time roles, with those looking for full-time work increasing by 68,000 to 667,000. The number of people seeking part-time work eased slightly to 1,002,000.
Levine said the annual trend revealed a growing pool of Australians stuck without adequate employment.
"Both unemployment and under-employment have increased markedly from a year ago with unemployment up 127,000 to 1,669,000 (10.4% of the workforce, up 0.7%) and under-employment is up 111,000 to 1,787,000 (11.1% of the workforce, up 0.5%)," she said.
"This means overall unemployment and under-employment has increased significantly by 238,000 to 3,456,000 (21.5%, up 1.2%)."
Australia's overall employment
The Roy Morgan survey estimates Australia’s workforce at 16,097,000 people in December, combining 14,428,000 employed and 1,669,000 unemployed.
While overall employment rose by 89,000 over the month, the increase was driven entirely by part-time work, which jumped by 143,000 to a record 5,279,000 people. Full-time employment fell by 54,000 to 9,149,000.
Over the past year, total employment was up 152,000, but Roy Morgan found that only part-time roles had grown on a sustained basis, leaving more Australians reliant on reduced hours and insecure work.
"A look at the employment market over the last year shows a marginal increase to employment, up 152,000 to 14,428,000. However, only part-time employment is showing sustained increases, up by 326,000 to 5,279,000, while full-time employment dropped 174,000 to 9,149,000 from a year ago," Levine said.
"The sluggish labour market – with no net full-time jobs created over the last year – shows the low level of productivity in the economy is stifling growth and leading to labour market stagnation."
Roy Morgan's latest survey also links the pressures on jobseekers and under-employed workers to broader economic settings, including inflation and government spending.
Levine said elevated inflation and continued high interest rates were weighing on the labour market and limiting opportunities for those seeking more or better-paid work.
"The biggest driver of inflation in the Australian economy is public spending – from Federal and State Governments – which crowds out private investment and reduces economic productivity," Levine said.
"As the latest Roy Morgan employment and unemployment estimates show, the Australian economy needs the chance to grow and increase productivity that can be provided by a cut to Government spending, and lower interest rates throughout the economy."
