Employment figures for April show a drop in Australia’s jobless rate

EMPLOYMENT figures for April have shown a drop in the unemployment rate spurred by the creation of 37,000 jobs, marking a win for the Turnbull government.

Economists predict the jobs figures for April will be disappointing for the Turnbull government.

THE unemployment rate for April is down 0.2 per cent to 5.7 per cent, spelling a win for the Turnbull government.

The drop was driven by the creation of more than 37,000 jobs during the month.

The positive results come after gloomy wage growth figures and an uninspiring reaction from consumers to last week’s Budget.

Economists’ predictions suggested the government would be disappointed with the jobless rate projected to remain stuck at 5.9 per cent for another month.

However, the results showed the number of unemployed persons looking for full-time work decreased 12,300 to 514,200 while the number of unemployed persons only looking for part-time work decreased 6,800 to 218,000.

Wages data on Wednesday showed growth remains extremely subdued with the annual rate at a record low 1.9 per cent and below the rate of inflation at 2.1 per cent.

Consumer confidence readings have also weakened in response to the Budget and followed opinion polls showing voters believe they will be worse off because of its measures, despite backing initiatives like the levy on the big banks and the new school funding program.

Originally published as Employment figures for April show a drop in Australia’s jobless rate