SYDNEY, July 23 (Reuters) – Australian employment jumped past all expectations in June as firms took on more part-time labour, data showed on Thursday, while the unemployment rate held steady as more people went looking for work.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed net employment shot up 76,300 in June from May, when it rose a revised 43,900. That was far above market forecasts of a 15,300 gain, with part-time jobs jumping 47,000.
The jobless rate stayed at 4.4% as expected, as the participation rate climbed to 67.0%. Hours worked edged up 0.2%, after sliding in May.
(Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Comments