Positive news for Australians as Labour Force figures released today for June 2021 show that Australia’s economy is continuing to demonstrate its remarkable resilience.

The unemployment rate has dropped to 4.9% in June which is the lowest in more than a decade with 51,600 full time jobs created. This means there are now more people in work than ever before.

Seasonally adjusted employment rose by 29,100 in June 2021, at the upper end of market expectations, to stand a record high of 13,154,200.

Employment has now increased by 285,100 in 2021, the largest increase in the first six months of a calendar year on record, and is 159,400 above its pre-COVID level in March 2020.

Encouragingly, the rise in employment over the month was due, entirely, to a robust increase in full-time employment, up by 51,600 in June, to a record high of 9,016,800. Full-time employment is now 151,700 higher than it was in March 2020.

The level of unemployment in Australia fell by 22,000 over the month, to 679,100 in June 2021, and is now 6.1 per cent below the level recorded in March 2020.

The participation rate remained steady in June, at 66.2 per cent, and is 0.3 percentage points above the rate recorded in March 2020.

The youth unemployment rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points to 10.2 per cent in June, the lowest rate recorded since January 2009.

These job numbers follow other positive economic data that we’ve seen in recent weeks and recent months.

While Australia’s labour market rebound from the pandemic has beaten even the most optimistic of expectations, the Morrison Government remains acutely aware that 679,100 Australians remain out of work.

The risk of ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 in the months ahead present a degree of uncertainty as recent lockdowns are expected to have an impact on employment over coming months.

This is why the Government’s 2021-22 Budget measures have been designed to cement Australia’s economic recovery and secure our prosperity through initiatives including:

  • A further $15.2 billion in infrastructure investment
  • Additional tax cuts for businesses and individuals
  • A further $2.7 billion to extend the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program
  • An additional $500 million to expand the JobTrainer Fund

The Government has put in place a prudent macroeconomic policy framework to ensure that Australia continues to rebound strongly from the COVID-19 induced recession and creates sustainable jobs well into the future.
There is still a long way to go. But the Australian economy is recovering strongly. These numbers should give Australians confidence that the Morrison Government’s economic plan is working.

This is all part of the Morrison Governments economic plan that is delivering more jobs across Australia.