Multiple job holding in Australia remains at a historic high despite a 1.2 percent fall in the June quarter.
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show 961,000 people held more than one job during the quarter.
The fall means 6.5 percent of the workforce now hold more than one job, compared between 6.6 and 6.7 percent over the previous six quarters.
“This is the lowest multiple job-holding rate we’ve seen since the September quarter 2022,” ABS head of labour statistics Kate Lamb said.
“However, 6.5 percent remains high compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, when the rate of multiple job-holding was usually between 5.0 and 6.0 per cent.”
The drop in multiple job-holding for the June quarter 2024 was more pronounced for men than women, falling from 6.0 percent in the March quarter down to 5.7 percent.
Filled jobs rose by 0.4 percent in the June quarter, with a 0.6 percent rise in main jobs offsetting the 2.9 percent fall in people with a second job.
“Hours worked grew for a second consecutive quarter, up 1.1 percent, following a 0.3 percent increase in the March quarter,” Ms Lamb said.
“Recent Labour Force Survey data shows full-time employment growth of 2.2 percent compared to 1.1 percent for part-time employment over the first half of 2024.
“Annual growth in hours worked to June quarter 2024 was 0.5 percent, following strong hours worked growth of 6.6 percent over the previous year to June quarter 2023.”
The ABS said Job vacancies were continuing to fall, down 3.5 percent in the June quarter and the proportion of vacant jobs fell to its lowest rate in more than three years at 2.2 percent.
“The labour market remains tight with employment growth generally keeping pace with strong population growth, up 0.8 percent this quarter,” Ms Lamb said.
“However, a number of labour market measures moderated during 2023-24, suggesting conditions have softened compared to 2022-23, which was particularly tight.”
