Unemployment 4.9%, but full-time jobs decline

Australia’s unemployment rate has fallen to 4.9% in April, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

But the increase was driven by a rise in part-time employment, up 26,000 people to 3.43 million, mainly driven by an increase in male part-time employment.

Worryingly, the figures show a 10,500 decrease in full-time jobs.

ABS data showed the total number of total jobs grew by 15,500 last month.

There are now about 8.06 million Australians with full-time jobs, according to the ABS.

The number of people unemployed decreased by 28,800 people to 598,200 in April.

The ABS monthly aggregate hours worked showed an increase in April, up 6.6 million hours to 1,633.9 million hours.

Economists had expected the data to show a loss of 5,000 jobs in April after a surprise jump of 44,000 jobs in March.