Monthly Statistical Bulletin
1.2 Unemployment                
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Month 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09  
Number unemployed (a) – '000  
 
July 567.8 525.7 502.8 470.3 481.7  
August 567.1 520.5 509.1 476.7 459.5  
September 553.4 528.6 503.8 462.1 482.2  
October 529.8 533.6 482.3 478.0 488.7  
November 536.3 521.9 487.6 490.0 496.6  
December 525.3 531.6 491.3 468.1    
January 526.7 541.3 486.2 457.6    
February 531.1 540.4 498.6 438.0    
March 545.2 519.0 486.4 455.6    
April 540.1 529.1 476.7 477.3    
May 538.8 513.6 466.4 476.8    
June 523.5 516.4 474.0 476.6    
 
Annual average 540.5 527.1 489.0 468.0  
             
Unemployment rate (a) (b) – per cent  
 
July 5.6 5.0 4.7 4.3 4.3  
August 5.6 4.9 4.7 4.3 4.1  
September 5.4 5.0 4.7 4.2 4.3  
October 5.1 5.1 4.5 4.3 4.3  
November 5.2 4.9 4.5 4.4 4.4  
December 5.1 5.0 4.5 4.2    
January 5.1 5.1 4.5 4.1    
February 5.1 5.1 4.6 3.9    
March 5.2 4.9 4.5 4.1    
April 5.1 5.0 4.4 4.3    
May 5.1 4.8 4.3 4.3    
June 5.0 4.8 4.3 4.3    
 
Annual average 5.2 5.0 4.5 4.2  
             
 
(a) Monthly figures are seasonally adjusted.  
(b) Number unemployed as a proportion of the labour force.  
 
Source: ABS, Labour force, Cat. no. 6202.0   Update
  15 January 2009