MORE AUSTRALIANS IN FULL-TIME WORK THAN EVER BEFORE

Figures released by the ABS today underlines the strength of the Australian economy, with more Australians in employment than ever before and full time employment surging.

 

Today’s figures show:

•             A record number of 12,166,900 Australians are employed;

•             A record number of 8,356,000 Australians are in full-time employment;

•             The total number of people working in Australia has now increased for the past nine months;

•             Full-time employment has now risen by 166,700 in the six months to June 2017, the largest increase in full-time employment in the first half of a calendar year on record;

•             Since the Coalition came to office in September 2013 more than 700,000 jobs have been created;

•             Employment has now increased by 240,200, or 2 per cent, over the year, above the decade average rate, of 1.6 per cent.

 

In June there was a 0.1 percentage point increase in the labour force participation rate, to 65.0 per cent, as stronger conditions encouraged more Australians to enter the labour market in search of work.  This strong participation rate has in turn has led to a slight increase in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to 5.6 per cent for the month. 

 

Encouragingly, the female labour force participation rate rose by 0.2 percentage points in June, to a record high of 59.7 per cent.

 

Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, welcomed today’s positive figures which underscore the Turnbull Government’s unwavering focus on economic growth and job creation.

 

“Today’s data clearly reflect a stronger labour market and highlight the success of the Government’s Budget measures, which are helping stimulate jobs growth,” Minister Cash said.

 

“The Coalition Government fundamentally understands the best form of welfare is a job so we will continue to relentlessly pursue policies to ensure as many Australians are in work as possible.”