Australia's Unemployment Rate Holds at 4.7% as Jobs Dip in September
ABS figures released on 15 October 2026 show employment fell by 39,300 in September, but full-time jobs rose by 34,400. Here is what it means for skilled migrants.
Australia| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Organization | Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) |
| Official source | ABS – Labour Force, Australia, September 2026 ✓ abs.gov.au |
Australia's labour market eased slightly in September. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported on 15 October 2026 that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7%.
Key figures for September 2026 (seasonally adjusted)
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% |
| Unemployed people | 732,000 (up 8,900) |
| Total employment | 14.78 million (down 39,300) |
| Full-time employment | up 34,400 |
| Part-time employment | down 73,700 |
| Participation rate | 66.8% (down 0.2 points) |
| Monthly hours worked | 2,011 million (up 0.1%) |
Reading the numbers
The overall fall in employment came entirely from part-time work. Full-time jobs grew, and total hours worked edged up. That points to a market that is cooling, but where employers are still adding full-time staff.
What it means for skilled migrants
- Employer-sponsored roles remain the main route. If you have a job offer, check the salary meets the current minimum, which rose on 1 July 2026. See: Australia skilled visa salary thresholds for 2026–27.
- Full-time hiring is holding up, which is good news for sponsored, full-time roles.
- Expect more competition for part-time and casual work.
- Use official channels. Check visa options with the Department of Home Affairs, and never pay for a job offer.
Apply only through the official source.
Open official notice →TheJobSeek never charges for jobs and is not a recruitment agency. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer or visa in the name of this article, it is a scam.
