[Australia] December saw seasonal rise in payroll jobs

Payroll jobs in Australia increased 0.5 per cent in the month to December 9, 2023, following little change over the previous month, according to newly released Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, Australian Bureau of Statistics reports.

David Taylor - ABS head of labour statistics - said, “The rise in payroll jobs between 11 November and 9 December was underpinned by further strong growth in the Retail trade industry, through the peak shopping season, accounting for around 40 per cent of the total rise in payroll jobs. This seasonal increase usually peaks at the end of the year, before the number of jobs noticeably falls after Christmas and into January.”

Together with the seasonal increase in Retail trade jobs (up 1.9 per cent), seasonal changes were also reportedly seen in other industries, coming into the end-of-year holiday period. The next largest increases were in Transport, postal and warehousing roles (up 1.0 per cent) and Arts and recreation services (up 0.9 per cent). 

Comparing estimates

“Weekly data provides useful insights into how the number of jobs changes through the course of the year, industry by industry, leading into the end-of-year peak. Across late December and January they also show the extent of seasonal change in the labour market, as parents and carers take time off and businesses reduce their operations during the summer holidays,” Mr Taylor said.

At times of high seasonality in the labour market - in the absence of seasonally adjusted figures - annual estimates can improve the interpretation of estimates. Comparing estimates at similar times in the year reduces the seasonal effect, according to the ABS. 

“Over the year we have consistently seen annual growth in payroll jobs continue to slow, falling from between 5 to 6 per cent in the first half of 2023, to around 2 to 3.5 per cent in the second half of 2023.”

“However, it is also important to remember that this slower growth follows a particularly strong period of growth through 2022-23,” Mr Taylor said. 

Payroll jobs rise in all states and territories

Payroll jobs reportedly rose across all eight states and territories during December. The strongest rises were seen in Tasmania (up 1.1 per cent), Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia (all up 0.6 per cent). 

“Over the month, Retail trade jobs accounted for a large share of total jobs growth across the states and territories,” Mr Taylor said.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

(Quotes via original reporting)

Payroll jobs in Australia increased 0.5 per cent in the month to December 9, 2023, following little change over the previous month, according to newly released Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, Australian Bureau of Statistics reports.

David Taylor - ABS head of labour statistics - said, “The rise in payroll jobs between 11 November and 9 December was underpinned by further strong growth in the Retail trade industry, through the peak shopping season, accounting for around 40 per cent of the total rise in payroll jobs. This seasonal increase usually peaks at the end of the year, before the number of jobs noticeably falls after Christmas and into January.”

Together with the seasonal increase in Retail trade jobs (up 1.9 per cent), seasonal changes were also reportedly seen in other industries, coming into the end-of-year holiday period. The next largest increases were in Transport, postal and warehousing roles (up 1.0 per cent) and Arts and recreation services (up 0.9 per cent). 

Comparing estimates

“Weekly data provides useful insights into how the number of jobs changes through the course of the year, industry by industry, leading into the end-of-year peak. Across late December and January they also show the extent of seasonal change in the labour market, as parents and carers take time off and businesses reduce their operations during the summer holidays,” Mr Taylor said.

At times of high seasonality in the labour market - in the absence of seasonally adjusted figures - annual estimates can improve the interpretation of estimates. Comparing estimates at similar times in the year reduces the seasonal effect, according to the ABS. 

“Over the year we have consistently seen annual growth in payroll jobs continue to slow, falling from between 5 to 6 per cent in the first half of 2023, to around 2 to 3.5 per cent in the second half of 2023.”

“However, it is also important to remember that this slower growth follows a particularly strong period of growth through 2022-23,” Mr Taylor said. 

Payroll jobs rise in all states and territories

Payroll jobs reportedly rose across all eight states and territories during December. The strongest rises were seen in Tasmania (up 1.1 per cent), Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia (all up 0.6 per cent). 

“Over the month, Retail trade jobs accounted for a large share of total jobs growth across the states and territories,” Mr Taylor said.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

(Quotes via original reporting)