Australia’s unemployment rate has jumped to 4.3 per cent in June, the highest it’s been since late 2021. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the economy added just 2,000 jobs last month, after shedding 1,000 in May, a sign that the labour market is slowing alongside the broader economy.
More than 33,000 people became unemployed in June, bringing the total number of unemployed Australians to just under 660,000. At the same time, the number of hours worked across the economy fell by 0.9 per cent, reversing the gains seen in May. Economist Stephen Koukoulas didn’t mince words, calling it “poor labour market data,” and adding, “unemployment is catching up to the broader economic slowdown.”
For younger workers and multicultural communities, particularly South Asian Australians, the shift from full-time to part-time work is especially relevant. While part-time employment rose by 40,200 people, full-time jobs fell by 38,200. That’s a problem for those relying on consistent hours to meet rising living costs. The youth unemployment rate rose to 9.6 per cent, putting extra strain on early-career workers who are already dealing with high rents and limited housing stock.
The participation rate inched up to 67.1 per cent, which suggests that people still want to work, but the economy isn’t creating the right kind of jobs. Underemployment, which refers to people who have a job but want more hours, rose to 6.0 per cent. Combined with unemployment, that takes the underutilisation rate to 10.3 per cent — a clear sign that more people are either out of work or not earning enough to get by.
Victoria’s unemployment rate now sits at 4.6 per cent, higher than the national average. Queensland and South Australia also reported weak numbers. Only the ACT saw improvement, with the unemployment rate falling to 3.6 per cent, although smaller sample sizes mean those results can vary more.
Tarric Brooker, a Sydney-based journalist who tracks economic data, described the report as “very poor across the board.” He suggested that the cooling trend may be exposing overreliance on taxpayer-supported employment, with fewer gains coming from private enterprise.
These numbers will hit home for many in their thirties and forties, a generation juggling family costs, mortgages and career pressures. For South Asian families in particular, where multiple incomes often support one household, shifts in hours worked and part-time rates can quickly affect monthly budgets.
The monthly jobs churn also tells a cautionary tale. Around 381,000 people entered employment in June, while 421,000 left. That imbalance shows why the headline job growth figure is so small. It’s not that there’s no hiring at all, it’s just that exits are outpacing new starts.
Despite the weak data, the Reserve Bank is likely to hold off any immediate reaction. A 4.3 per cent unemployment rate is still relatively low by historical standards. But if the loss of full-time roles continues, and total hours worked keep falling, the concern will grow. For many households, it already feels like the economy is cooling faster than expected.
The next ABS report is due in late July and will include more detailed breakdowns. Until then, it’s clear the labour market is under pressure, and for many families watching their spending closely, that pressure is being felt at home.
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