The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1 percent in January as 50,000 extra full-time jobs were created.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released today showed the increase in full-time jobs was offset by a fall of 33,000 in part-time jobs.
ABS head of labour statistics Sean Crick said employed people in total grew by 18,000 and the participation rate (proportion of adults in work or looking for work) was at 66.7 percent was 0.6 percentage points lower than the record high measured in January 2025.
The underemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 5.9 percent in January and youth underemployment rose 1.0 percentage point to 14.8 percent.
“This month fewer people reported working less hours than typical Januarys due to being on leave. This contributed to hours worked growing more strongly than employment,’ Mr Crick said.
“On average, part-time employed persons worked more hours this month, with part-time hours worked per person increasing by 0.8 percent.
“However, the total number of part-time hours worked only rose 0.1 percent, with the number of people employed part-time falling 0.7 percent.”