{
  "id": 2066768,
  "title": "Australia jobless rate hits near 5-year high of 4.5pct in July",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/australia-jobless-rate-hits-near-5-year-high-of-4-5pct-in-july",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-20T03:30:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/08/1515041/australia-jobless-rate-hits-near-5-year-high-45pct-july"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sydney - Australia's jobless rate unexpectedly rose to its highest point since late 2021 in July, hitting 4.5 per cent, according to data released on Thursday. The employment figures showed a drop in net employment by 15,800 from the previous month, while full-time jobs only increased by 16,300. The participation rate eased to 66.9 per cent from 67 per cent, and hours worked fell by 0.6 per cent, while underemployment remained at a two-year high of 6.4 per cent. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) now sees little chance of raising interest rates next month, but a decision by the end of the year is still uncertain, depending on inflation outcomes. Economists are closely watching the labour market, as softer wage growth and a decline in the participation rate add pressure on the RBA to hold policy rates steady at 4.35 per cent, following three rate increases this year.",
  "summary": "SYDNEY: Australian employment unexpectedly fell in July and the jobless rate hit its highest point since late 2021, data showed on Thursday, adding to signs of a cooling labour market and easing pressure for another interest rate hike.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}