The unemployment rate in Australia came in at 5.2 percent for February, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday, marking its highest level since March 2005. That was higher than analyst expectations for a 5.0 percent increase after the 4.8 percent gain in January.
The number of employed persons jumped by 1,800, the data showed, defying forecasts that predicted a decline of 20,000. Full-time employment dropped by 53,800 persons to 7.66 million, while part-time workers gained 55,600 to 3.15 million.
The participation rate came in at 65.5 percent - slightly higher than the 65.0 percent forecast after the 65.1 percent rate in January.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.