Australia job vacancies rise 2.9% from March to May quarter.

Australia job vacancies rise 2.9% from March to May quarter.

Australian job vacancies surged 2.9% from March to May, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This increase, which came despite a dip in overall employment in May, underscores the resilience of the Australian labor market. The data, released on June 19, 2025, highlights the ongoing demand for workers in various sectors.

In May 2025, employment in Australia fell by 2,500 to 14.62 million, marking the first decline since February [1]. This drop was unexpected, as analysts had forecast a 25,000 increase. The decrease was driven by a sharp fall in part-time employment, which dropped by 41,200 to 4.52 million. Conversely, full-time employment rose by 38,700 to a record high of 10.10 million [1].

Despite the overall employment decline, the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, indicating a robust labor market. Full-time jobs surged by nearly 39,000, while underemployment hit post-COVID lows, and female participation reached a record 60.9% [2]. This resilience in the labor market is likely to keep the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cautious about further rate cuts, despite speculation [2].

The rise in job vacancies suggests that businesses are continuing to hire, even as overall employment numbers fluctuate. The increase in vacancies is a positive sign for the economy, as it indicates that companies are expanding and seeking to fill positions. This trend is consistent with the broader economic picture, which has seen a continued expansion in total employment on an annual basis to April, rising by 329,100 or 2.3% [1].

However, the economic outlook remains uncertain. The RBA has already cut interest rates twice since February to 3.85% as inflation slowed to the target band of 2-3%. Yet, economic growth has remained subdued, with U.S. tariffs and geopolitical conflicts casting a shadow over the economic outlook [3]. Despite these challenges, the labor market has shown remarkable resilience, with job advertisements stabilizing above pre-COVID levels and wages remaining well-behaved [3].

In conclusion, the rise in Australian job vacancies from March to May is a positive indicator of the ongoing demand for workers. While overall employment numbers have shown volatility, the labor market's resilience is evident in the steady unemployment rate and the increase in full-time employment. This data will be closely watched by investors and financial professionals as they assess the broader economic outlook.

References:
[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/te_news:464034:0-australia-employment-unexpectedly-drops/
[2] https://tickernews.co/aussie-job-market-defies-expectations-with-stable-4-1-unemployment-rate/
[3] https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/australia-jobs-unexpectedly-dip-in-may-but-unemployment-holds-steady-4102430