Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.3% in February 2026, exceeding both the 4.1% forecast and levels seen in the previous two months. This marked the highest reading since November, as the number of unemployed increased by 35,000 to a three-month high of 659,100 from 624,200 in January. Those seeking full-time work grew by 31,000 to 433,000, and part-time job seekers edged up 3,900 to 226,100. Meanwhile, employment climbed 48,900 to a new peak of 14.75 million, easily beating estimates of a 20,300 increase and after an upwardly revised 26,000 gain in January. Part-time employment jumped 79,400 to 4.63 million, but full-time employment declined 30,500 to 10.12 million. The participation rate hit a four-month high of 66.9%, compared with estimates and December's 66.7%. The underemployment rate held steady at 5.9%. Meanwhile, total monthly hours worked across all jobs eased 3 million to 2,007 million. source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Unemployment Rate in Australia increased to 4.30 percent in February from 4.10 percent in January of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Australia averaged 6.52 percent from 1978 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 11.20 percent in December of 1992 and a record low of 3.40 percent in October of 2022. This page provides - Australia Unemployment Rate at 5.8% in December - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Australia Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.
Unemployment Rate in Australia increased to 4.30 percent in February from 4.10 percent in January of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Australia is expected to be 4.20 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Australia Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 4.40 percent in 2027 and 4.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.