Australia’s unemployment rate rose 0.1% to 5.1% in July, as employers showed a preference for part-time workers rather than full-time.

Whilst employment remained largely unchanged at 11,450,500. A decrease in full-time employment of 22,200 to 8,055,100 was offset by an increase in part-time employment of 22,100 to 3,395,400.
 

The number of people looking for full-time work increased 10,800 to 428,000 and those looking for part-time work increased 7200 to 183,600.  The participation rate remained unchanged at 65.6%.

The aggregate monthly hours people worked increased 3.6 million hours to 1,621.4 million hours.

On the trend estimates are:

• Employment increased to 11,448,500.
• Unemployment increased to 598,500.
• Unemployment rate remained steady at 5.0%.
• Participation rate decreased to 65.5%.
• Aggregate monthly hours worked increased to 1,616.9 million hours.