‘Tightness in the labour market’: Payroll jobs continue to climb slightly

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed a glaring problem with the labour market.

Payroll jobs have continued to climb slightly, indicating there is still a tightness in the labour market coupled with disruptions due to illness and major weather events.

There was an increase of just 0.7 per cent in the month to November 12, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

“The slower growth rate this year continues to point to tightness in the labour market, coupled with disruptions from people being sick and the impact of major weather events,” ABS head of labour statistics Bjorn Jarvis said on Thursday.

“With almost three full years of payroll jobs data, we can see some of the recurring weekly seasonal changes in the labour market.

“The most recent changes in 2022 are more like 2020 than 2021, given the labour market was recovering from the Delta period lockdowns at this time last year.”

Monthly percentage change in payroll jobs by state and territory. Picture: ABS

The data covers the period before the labour market hits its seasonal peak in payroll jobs every year, which is usually in the first half of December.

Payroll jobs were up in every jurisdiction, with the largest boost in South Australia (up 1.2 per cent) and the smallest in Queensland (up 0.2 per cent).

The ABS noted South Australia’s increase partly reflected the slightly later school term start, with payroll jobs in education and training making up more than 40 per cent of the rise over the month.

Ten out of 19 industries experienced a rise in payroll jobs.

The ABS also released data on Thursday showing tourism gross domestic product climbed 26.4 per cent to $35.1bn in chain volume terms in 2021-22 but remained below the 2018-19 peak of $61.9bn.

Tourism’s contribution to economy GDP rose to 1.6 per cent but remained below the 2018-19 level of 3.1 per cent.

Domestic tourism consumption was up $5.3bn to $85bn, while international tourism increased by $5.6bn to $6.4bn.

Tourism-filled jobs went up to 501,400 but was still short of the 2018-19 peak of 701,100.