Labour force figures November: more Australians in work than ever before

Labour force figures released today by the ABS underscore the continued strength and resilience of the Australian labour market with seasonally adjusted employment rising strongly, by 39,900 over the month, to stand at a record high of 12,954,400 in November 2019.

Over the year to November 2019, employment has risen by 254,900 (or 2.0 per cent), above the decade average growth rate, of 1.8 per cent.

Seasonally adjusted full-time employment is now 144,700 (or 1.7 per cent) higher than it was a year ago.

Full-time employment has comprised 56.8 per cent of total employment growth over the last year.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage points over the month, to 5.2 per cent in November 2019.

The participation rate in November 2019 remained strong, at 66 per cent.

The Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, welcomed today’s strong figures noting that a total of 1,477,600 jobs had been created since the Government came to office, an increase of 12.9 per cent.

“The Government’s Budget position is on track to return to surplus for the first time in 11 years. We are facilitating a record infrastructure spend, which will help create tens of thousands of jobs across the country,” Minister Cash said.

“In addition, the most significant tax cuts Australia has seen in more than two decades is putting an extra $20 billion into Australian taxpayers’ pockets and the Government also has a plan to create 80,000 apprenticeships.”

Today’s Labour Force data reflects a strong labour market and highlights the success of the Government’s efforts to stimulate jobs growth, even in the face of significant global and domestic headwinds.

/Public Release. View in full here.