Weekly payroll jobs across Australia increased by 1.5% in the year to 16 March 2024 (since 18 March 2023), according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Payroll jobs increased by 0.4% in the month since 17 February 2024.

Bjorn Jarvis, ABS head of labour statistics, said, “The smaller increase in payroll jobs over the month to mid-March followed the larger seasonal rise of 2.1 per cent to mid-February, as people returned to work from the summer holidays.”

“Like last month, payroll jobs in education and training underpinned the monthly growth to mid-March,” Jarvis said. “Jobs in this industry accounted for around half of the small monthly rise, broadly in line with what we’ve seen in previous years.”

By industry, in the month to 16 March 2024, the largest changes in payroll jobs were education and training, up 3.8% and arts and recreation services, up 2.0%.

Electricity, gas, water and waste services saw the biggest year-on-year increase at 9.3%. Healthcare and social assistance followed with a 9.0% annual increase.

By state/territory, in the month to 16 March 2024, the largest changes in payroll jobs were in the Northern Territory, up 1.3%; and Australian Capital Territory, up 0.8%. In the year to mid-March, the Northern Territory recorded the largest increase at 4.0%.

“The annual growth in payroll jobs across the states and territories was underpinned by strong growth in health care and social assistance jobs. This industry was the strongest contributor to jobs growth in each jurisdiction, except for the Australian Capital Territory, where it was public administration and safety,” Jarvis said.