16 Million Filled Jobs In September 2024: Australia

The number of filled jobs rose by 1.6 per cent to 16.0 million rounded in September quarter 2024, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

David Taylor, ABS head of labour statistics, said: “Filled jobs rose by 257,100 in September quarter 2024, continuing the growth we’ve seen since COVID-19 Delta variant measures eased in December quarter 2021.

“Since then, the number of filled jobs in the Australian labour market has grown by 1.5 million jobs or 10.7 per cent.”

Hours worked grew 0.8 per cent in September quarter 2024, however, was only up 0.7 per cent compared to June quarter 2023 when the labour market was particularly tight.

“Between December quarter 2021 and June quarter 2023, we saw strong growth in hours worked of 10.3 per cent compared to filled jobs at 6.6 per cent,” Mr Taylor said.

“Since June quarter 2023, quarterly hours worked has softened and we’re starting to see a more consistent relationship with other labour market measures like filled jobs and employment, as noted in recent Labour Force Survey data.

“Growth in filled jobs and hours worked since December quarter 2021 are now very similar, with filled jobs rising 10.7 per cent and hours worked up 11.0 per cent.”

The multiple job-holding rate rose 0.1 percentage points to 6.6 per cent in September quarter, reflecting a 2.8 per cent rise in the number of multiple job-holders (27,000) and a 1.1 per cent rise in employed people (161,000).

This returns the multiple job-holding rate to its average over the past two years.

“Job vacancies fell a further 17.8 per cent annually, but were still 48.3 per cent higher than before the pandemic,” Mr Taylor said.

Filled jobs rose in 15 of the 19 industries in September quarter, led by Health care and social assistance (+109,700) and Professional, scientific and technical services (+30,600).

These rises were partially offset by a fall in the remaining four industries, including Administrative and support services (-26,100).

Hours worked grew in 10 industries during the quarter and dropped in the remaining nine industries.

The largest quarterly percentage rise was seen in Manufacturing (+3.1 per cent), while the largest quarterly percentage fall was in Arts and recreation services (-2.5 per cent).

“Health care and social assistance continued to be a key driver of labour market strength, with 4.3 per cent growth in filled jobs this quarter and 11.4 per cent annually,” Mr Taylor said.

“This takes the total number of filled jobs in the industry to 2.6 million.

“One in six filled jobs is now worked in the Health care and social assistance industry, compared to almost one in 12 at the start of the Labour Account time series in September quarter 1994.

“As we explored in the March quarter 2024 Labour Account release, essential services industries have been showing strong labour market growth, particularly over the past two years.

“Recent growth in Health care and social assistance coincides with a period of record high labour force participation. This comes as more parents and carers seek childcare services, and demand increases from an ageing Australian population for both residential and home-based care services.”

Sources: Labour Account Australia, September 2024; National, state and territory population, March 2024; and Labour Force, Australia, October 2024.