Jobs growth welcomed by Australian Chamber
19 Jul 2018 | Media Release
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed Australia’s strongest jobs growth in seven months, with 51,000 jobs created in June, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
“This is a good strong result, especially as most of the lift in employment was in full-time jobs,” Australian Chamber Chief Economist, Adam Carr, said.
“Over the last year, we’ve seen an increase in total jobs of around 340,000. That’s something to celebrate.”
“It’s also a big positive that the unemployment rate remained low at 5.4% in a month where the number of people entering the jobs market rose strongly.”
According to the ABS, the participation rate rose to 65.7% from 65.5% as more people entered the jobs market.
“Overall it is a very positive outcome but it is somewhat tempered by a modest lift in the underemployment rate. Underemployment remains very high historically, albeit off the peaks seen last year,” Mr Carr said.
“To some extent, higher underemployment is a symptom of a more flexible labour market.
“Greater labour market flexibility is allowing workers to juggle employment and family life – and so clearly it’s an overwhelmingly positive force.
“That said, it does indicate there is some excess capacity in the labour market and this will continue to weigh on wage growth in the near term.
“Wage growth will likely pick-up further as the jobs market improves.”
Related News
Australia's largest business lobby responds to current political environment
21/08/2018
"Businesses of all sizes across the country represented by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry more than ever need long-term positive policy certainty to give them the confidence...
Jobs and wages figures positive; business challenges remain
16/08/2018
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported today that total jobs fell by just under 4000 in July, following an increase of around 58,000 in June. While total...
Business Women Champions of the Heart launches in Sydney today
15/08/2018
The Heart Foundation has joined forces with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to launch “Business Women Champions of the Heart”, the nation’s first...
Australian Chamber calls on State and Territory Governments to endorse NEG
14/08/2018
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the passage of the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) through the Federal Coalition party room. “Business wants politicians...
Bureau of Statistics out of touch with workforce change
14/08/2018
The recent decision by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to not review the classification of jobs in Australian workplaces puts at serious risk the accuracy...
COAG: Urgent agreement needed on NEG
10/08/2018
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the decision to release a draft of legislation for the National Energy Guarantee next week and keep momentum...
Latest VET figures show significant decline
9/08/2018
The further decline in government-funded students studying Vocational Education and Training (VET) as illustrated by the latest figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education...
Business grasps the reality of the debate on Migration
7/08/2018
Skilled migration is a critical element in supporting economic growth and business is absolutely up for the debate about its contribution to delivering benefits to...
Joint Statement - Business and Industry united in calling for an end to energy uncertainty
6/08/2018
Representatives of Australia’s biggest employers, small businesses, the energy industry and the agricultural sector urge federal, state and territory leaders to put aside politics and...
Well informed jobs market key to remedy fall in education expectations
1/08/2018
A well-informed jobs market is key in managing the falling expectations of young people in prospective university or vocational education, the Australian Chamber of Commerce...
A good start but job not done: Fair Work should be much fairer to small businesses
30/07/2018
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the Fair Work Commission’s commitment to better support small business but wants more to be done to...
Rising stars go head to head in International Mediation Competition
28/07/2018
The sharpest young legal minds from Australia, New Zealand, India and Singapore will be put to test in the second Asia-Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition in...
ACTU wrong on wages
25/07/2018
"It’s wrong for the ACTU to claim the wage setting system is failing working people,” Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO, James Pearson, said...
Business calls on policy makers to urgently start planning for longer-term growth
24/07/2018
A more holistic approach to long-term infrastructure planning is required to address concerns regarding Australia’s population growth, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said today....
International Visitors Survey highlights Tourism as Economic and Jobs Powerhouse
19/07/2018
The latest International Visitors Survey for year ending March 2018 reflects an impressive increase of 6% in spend to $42.3 billion, Australian Chamber-Tourism, Australia’s peak...
Australian Chamber welcomes new Australian Made CEO
19/07/2018
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes Ben Lazzaro’s appointment to Chief Executive Officer of Australian Made. “The Australian Chamber is a founder and...
Cooperation Not Militancy The Way Forward On Industrial Relations
18/07/2018
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Congress missed an important opportunity this week to show that unions understand what Australians want from their work...
New Labor proposal threatens competitive labour hire arrangements
17/07/2018
The Federal Opposition’s plan to increase labour hire regulation risks undermining the flexibility and competitiveness of Australia’s workforce, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry...
New statistics highlight strong growth in Australian tourism market
17/07/2018
New figures on overseas arrivals and departures released today, reinforce the success of the Industry led ‘Beyond 2020’ tourism strategy, Australian Chamber-Tourism, Australia’s peak body for...
ACCC call for lower energy costs welcomed by Australian Chamber
11/07/2018
Calls for reforms to bring down energy prices by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have been welcomed by the Australian Chamber of Commerce...