Payroll jobs in Australia increased by 2.4% over the 12 months leading up to 16 September 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The 2.4% annual increased was a comedown from the 2.7% annual growth reported up to mid-August 2023.

“This suggests that labor market growth may be beginning to slow," Kate Lamb, the ABS head of labor statistics, said.

Payroll jobs increased in every state and territory over the 12 months leading up to mid-September 2023, with the Northern Territory recording the highest growth (a 4.5% increase) and New South Wales the lowest (a 2% increase). 

Payroll jobs in Australia remained unchanged over the month ending 16 September 2023, following a 0.2% increase last month.

Regionally, payroll jobs increased in five out of eight jurisdictions during the month ending in mid-September 2023, with the most significant increases observed in the Australian Capital Territory (a 0.4% rise) and Western Australia (a 0.3% increase). 

"A decline in payroll jobs was observed in 12 out of 19 industries during the month," stated Lamb. She mentioned that these declines were offset by an increase in the public administration and safety sector, as well as the education and training sector.

Other industries saw a 0.3% decrease during the mid-September period. Retail trade and manufacturing experienced the most significant drops, with reductions of 0.8% and 0.4%, respectively.