ABS Labour Force Survey figures released today show that employment has risen by 1,135,600 (or 8.4 per cent) under the Albanese Labor Government over the last three years, a higher rate of employment growth than any major advanced economy.
ABS data show that the unemployment rate was steady in May, at 4.1 per cent, while the labour force participation rate fell slightly over the month, to 67.0 per cent, but is still close to its record high.
The participation rate has been at or above 67 per cent only nine times since records began and all nine times have been under this Labor government.
While overall employment fell slightly in May, by 2,500, the small decline this month was not unexpected and follows on from a robust increase of 87,600 jobs recorded in April.
- While ABS Labour Force Survey figures can be volatile from month-to-month, over the year to May 2025, employment has risen strongly, by 329,100 (or 2.3 per cent) - above the decade average rate of 2.2 per cent.
The Government's responsible economic management is also delivering more full‑time jobs for Australian workers, particularly for women.
Indeed, full-time employment rose strongly over the month (by 38,700, to a record high of 10,103,900 in May) and is now 252,400 (or 2.6 per cent) above the level recorded a year ago.
- Encouragingly, full-time employment for women surged by 40,000 in May, to a record high of 4,031,100, and is now 175,200 (or 4.5 per cent) higher than it was a year ago.
The average unemployment rate under the Albanese Labor Government has been the lowest of any government in half a century.
No major advanced economy has achieved what we have, with unemployment in the low fours, inflation below 2.5 per cent and continuous growth for three years.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth welcomed today's strong full-time jobs growth.
"Labor is getting more people into full-time work, they are earning more and keeping more of what they earn," Minister Rishworth said.
"Delivering more jobs and higher wages is one of the best ways we can support Australians with cost-of-living pressures."
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said more Australians in work is helping us weather the global uncertainty.
"Low unemployment is one of our greatest defences against the uncertainty we see in the global economy right now.
"While other countries have sacrificed much higher unemployment for progress on inflation, Australia has been able to preserve the gains we've made in our labour market at the same time as we've got inflation down and jobs up.
"Low unemployment and much lower inflation is a remarkable combination and means we are well placed and well prepared for the challenges coming at us from around the world.
"Under Labor, average unemployment is the lowest of any government in half a century, inflation has come down, interest rates are coming down, real wages are growing and every taxpayer will get two new rounds of tax cuts."
