Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March 2024 increased by 0.3% year-on-year to 3.8%, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Month-on-month data showed the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose by 0.1%.

Overall, the number of unemployed persons totalled 569,900, up 57,300 over the year (11.2%) and up 20,600 (3.7%) over the prior month.   

By state, the lowest unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) was seen in the Australian Capital Territory with 2.9%. The highest was seen in Victoria with 4.1% and Queensland (also 4.1%).

In trend terms, the unemployment rate remained unchanged from February at 3.9% but increased by 0.3% year-on-year.

Further labour market data showed the seasonally adjusted employment figures stood at 14,259,800, up 365,800 (2.6%) over the year and up 28,500 (0.2%) over the month.

Meanwhile, seasonally adjusted monthly hours worked increased to 1.95 billion, up 0.1% over the year and was unchanged over the month.

The country’s labour force participation rate stood at 66.6% in March, up 0.1% over the year and flat over the month, on a seasonally adjusted basis.