Australia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 5.4 per cent in September, as announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 


The ABS reported the number of people employed increased by 14,500 to 11,511,900 in September. The increase in employment was driven by increased full-time employment, up 32,100 people to 8,107,000, and was offset by decreased part-time employment, down 17,700 people to 3,404,900. The increase in employment was driven by increased female full-time employment, up 32,100 to 2,876,300.


The number of people unemployed increased by 38,800 people to 662,700 in September.


The ABS monthly aggregate hours worked series showed an increase in September, up 7.6 million hours to 1,627.5 million hours.


The ABS reported a seasonally adjusted labour force participation rate increase of 0.2 percentage points to 65.2 per cent in September. 


More details are in the September 2012 issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0), as well as the upcoming September 2012 issue of Labour Force, Australia, Detailed (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001) due for release next week on 18 October. Both publications are available for free download (after release) from the ABS website - www.abs.gov.au.