MNI BRIEF: Aussie Unemployment Steady, Jobs Fall

Australia’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.1% over February, in line with expectations, while employment fell by 52,800, lower than the 30,000 jobs expected, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. 

“Fewer older workers returning to work in February contributed to the fall in employment this month, with lower levels of employment in the older age groups in February 2025 compared with 2024,” said Bjorn Jarvis, head of labour statistics at the ABS. “This follows higher levels of employment in these age groups in recent years, particularly in 2024, alongside growth in the employment-to-population ratio over the last few years.” 

The Reserve Bank of Australia remains concerned over the labour market’s resiliency and wages strength, MNI reported this week. (See MNI POLICY: RBA Caution As Wages Growth Higher Than It Seems)