As at 13 October 2026 · official data unless labelled

Is everyone who wants work finding it, and are wages keeping up with prices?

Unemployment rate

August 2026

4.65%Above its average since September 2021▲ 0.16 ptsaverage since September 2021 4.03%

Unemployment rate was 4.65% in August 2026, up 0.16 pts on the previous reading (4.48%).

It is above its average since September 2021 of 4.03%, which is a worse reading than usual.

Across 38 OECD countries (2025), Australia ranks 11th best of 38 on unemployment rate, below the median of 5.44%.

Why it matters. The share of the labour force looking for work; the RBA's mandate includes full employment, and a rising rate is usually the first sign of a slowdown.

What's driving it

1 of 4 under pressure

Wagesvs 10-year average 2.65%3.2%unchanged Real wagesvs benchmark 0 pts-0.74 pts▲ 0.15 pts Private wagesvs 10-year average 2.66%3.1%▼ 0.1 pts Public wagesvs 10-year average 2.69%3.4%unchanged

On target or better than usualWorse than usualOutside the target bandA level, neither better nor worseBars show how far each reading sits from its benchmark: left of centre below it, right above it.