{
  "id": 9467526,
  "title": "Australia’s unemployment rate hits five-year high in August as more seek work",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/australias-unemployment-rate-hits-five-year-high-in-august-as-more",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-24T02:18:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/australias-unemployment-rate-hits-fiveyear-high-in-august-as-more-seek-work-4914372"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In August, Australia's unemployment rate hit a five-year high, as more individuals sought employment, according to data released on Thursday. Despite a rise in employment, the unemployment rate increased to 4.6%, above forecasts of a steady 4.5%, making it the highest since late 2021. The participation rate climbed to 67.1%, up 0.2 percentage point, as the growth in the labour force resulted in more people moving from outside the labour force to being unemployed.\n\nThe Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that net employment rose by 39,500 in August from July, when it had fallen by 15,800. However, full-time jobs decreased by 6,300. Sean Crick, head of labour statistics at the ABS, noted that the higher proportion of people previously not in the labour force becoming unemployed contributed to the increased participation rate. The labour market, while easing slightly, remains tight.\n\nRBA Governor Michele Bullock stated that a range of unemployment rates between 4.5% and 5.0% could help curb inflation. This suggests that a rise in interest rates could be necessary. The central bank has already raised rates three times this year, bringing the policy rate to 4.35% to combat inflation. However, core inflation remains at 3.6%, well above the RBA's target range of 2% to 3%.\n\nBullock has warned that inflation risks are materializing due to the Middle East conflict and a data centre investment boom. With oil prices back above $100 a barrel, markets have re-priced the global rate outlook, with Australia's cash rate now expected to peak at 5.1%.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Australia's unemployment rate reached 4.6% in August, a five-year high.",
    "Labour force participation rate increased to 67.1%.",
    "Full-time jobs decreased by 6,300 in August."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rise in Australia's unemployment rate to a five-year high suggests that the labour market is easing, potentially paving the way for interest rate hikes to curb inflation.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Breaking: Unemployment rate reaches post-COVID era high of 4.6pc in August",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/breaking-unemployment-rate-reaches-post-covid-era-high-of-4-6pc-in",
        "published": "2026-09-24T01:45:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times Business",
        "title": "Australia’s jobless rate hits five-year high in August as more seek work",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/australias-jobless-rate-hits-five-year-high-in-august-as-more-seek",
        "published": "2026-09-24T02:52:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}