Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.1% in January 2026, unchanged from the previous month but slightly below market forecasts of 4.2%. It remained the lowest reading since May, underscoring continued labor market resilience. The number of unemployed edged down 19,000 to an eight-month low of 624,700 from 626,600 in December. Those seeking full-time work fell by 16,000 to 403,600, while part-time job seekers rose by 14,100 to 221,100. Meanwhile, employment increased by 17,800 to a new peak of 14.70 million, compared with estimates of a 20,000 increase and after an upwardly revised 68,500 gain in December. Full-time employment added 50,500 to 10.16 million, but part-time employment fell 32,700 to 4.55 million. The participation rate held steady at 66.7%, slightly less than the consensus of 66.8%. The underemployment rate edged up to 5.9% from 5.7% previously. Meanwhile, total monthly hours worked across all jobs grew 11 million to 2,013 million.