MNI Data Analysis: Australia Posts Multi-Yr Record Job Gains

--August Labor Force Data Best on Many Measures

By Sophia Rodrigues

     SYDNEY (MNI) - Australia posted some of its strongest labor-force data in

August -- producing the biggest gain in employment for 28 years from 11

consecutive months of job gains.

     The 11-month streak was the longest since the period ending January 2011

and the gains in jobs during this period were 345,300 -- falling short of

368,400 jobs created from 12 months of job gains in 1989.

     The jobless rate was unchanged at 5.6% but was a result of a rise in the

labor participation rate which was the highest since September 2012, data

published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed.

     The data will comfort the Reserve Bank of Australia -- which is relying on

continued growth in jobs to gradually eliminate the spare capacity in the

economy. The RBA may now be more confident of its forecasts because continued

job growth will lead to an acceleration in the wages growth which is important

both for household income and for inflation. 

     The latest data was positive on all measures -- full-time jobs rose, the

employment-to-population rate increased and hours worked rose.

     There was a fall in the underemployment rate to 8.6% in August form 8.8% in

May and to its lowest since 8.3% in November 2016. The labor underutilization

rate also dropped to 14.1% form 14.3% in May. Both data are published quarterly.

     In the eight months to date this year jobs have increased 268,400 -- a

monthly average of around 33,000. A big proportion of the gain was a result to

full-time jobs which rose 202,700 while part-time jobs rose 65,600.

     One of the better gauges of the labor market -- employment-to-population

ratio -- rose to 61.6% in August from 61.4% in July and was the highest since

February 2012. 

     Hours worked rose 6.1 million hours to 1,705 million hours.

--MNI Sydney Bureau; tel: +61 2-9716-5467; email: sophia.rodrigues@marketnews.com

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