Australia’s jobless rate hits four-year low of 5.5 per cent in September 2017

AUSTRALIA’S jobless rate has dropped to its lowest point in four years, according to figures released today.

Australia’s unemployment rate has dropped to a four-year low thanks to an uptick in jobs growth over the past 12 months.

AUSTRALIA’S unemployment rate has dropped to a four-year low thanks to an uptick in jobs growth over the past 12 months.

Data released today shows the jobless rate dropped to 5.5 per cent in September, the lowest Australia has seen since March 2013.

About 335,000 Aussies entered the workforce in the past year, contributing to the 0.2 per cent fall in unemployment.

Queensland had the strongest jobs growth in the past year with a 4.1 per cent increase.

Tasmania (3.9 per cent), Victoria (3.1 per cent) and Western Australia (2.9 per cent) had the next strongest jobs growth.

“The trend unemployment rate had been hovering in the range of 5.6 to 5.8 per cent for almost two years, but has now dropped to a four-year low of 5.5 per cent,” Australian Bureau of Statistics Chief Economist Bruce Hockman said today.

About 16,000 more Australians entered full-time work in September.

It’s the 12th month in a row full-time employment rates have increased.

An extra 8000 people also entered part-time employment.

“Full-time employment has now increased by around 271,000 persons since September 2016, and makes up the majority of the 335,000 person net increase in employment over the period,” Mr Hockman said.

Originally published as Australia’s jobless rate hits four-year low of 5.5 per cent in September 2017