LABOUR STATISTICS NEWS
LABOUR THEME PAGE
The ABS Labour Theme Page, available on the ABS web site, provides a guide to the range of ABS statistics on the labour market, as well as links to the latest data released.
CHANGES TO CODING PROCESSES FOR INDUSTRY AND OCCUPATION IN THE LFS
The ABS has changed the processes used to code industry and occupation data in the Labour Force Survey (LFS). From May 2005, almost two-thirds of industry and occupation codes have been coded automatically, using a computer to match survey responses to an industry or occupation index. This process is known as Autocoding. The remaining industry and occupation codes are coded using a Computer Assisted Coding system, which was used for all industry and occupation coding in earlier periods.
Although no changes have been made to the classifications used, and the underlying coding methodology is unchanged, the changes to coding processes will result in an improvement in the quality of estimates classified by industry and occupation from May 2005 onwards. Aggregate estimates of employment and unemployment are unaffected, and there is no meaningful change to the level of employment classified to any industry Division or occupation Major Group.
The Technical Report on page 33 provides more information on the changes in coding processes.
UPDATED EMPLOYMENT TYPE SPREADSHEETS
Updated spreadsheets containing data of the time series on employment type, from 1992 to 2004, are now available for purchase from the ABS web site. Follow the link to [AusStats - Publications and Data], then [Data cubes]. They are listed as Table 2 under catalogue number 6105.0. These spreadsheets include estimates of employment type by sex and full-time/part-time status for each of the following variables: Age (5 year age groups), State of usual residence, Industry and Occupation.
FREE PUBLICATIONS ON THE WEB
ABS publications will be made available free of charge on the ABS website from 1 July. This will include Adobe Acrobat and HTML publications such as Australian Labour Market Statistics, and the spreadsheet Table 1 Measures of underutilisation.
SUPPLEMENTARY SURVEYS ON LABOUR TOPICS
The Monthly Population Survey comprises the Labour Force Survey and a range of supplementary surveys, which provide detailed information on a range of topics. Results from the following labour-related topics were recently released: Labour Force Status and other Characteristics of Migrants, Australia (cat. no. 6250.0); and Forms of Employment, Australia (cat. no. 6359.0). The results of these surveys are outlined in the Recent Release section of this publication.
ABS EMAIL NOTIFICATION SERVICE
By subscribing to this free service, you will be kept informed via email of the latest releases of ABS products. To subscribe, follow the link from the ABS home page <https://www.abs.gov.au>, provide your email address, and select your topics of interest.
Recent and upcoming statistical releases |
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Release date/title of publication | Reference period | Catalogue number | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
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June 2005 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Industrial Disputes, Australia (Electronic Publication) | March quarter 2005 | 6321.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia | May 2005 | 6202.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia - Detailed Delivery | May 2005 | 6291.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Information Paper: Wage and Salary Earners, Public Sector, Australia, Changes to Time Series Spreadsheets | March 2005 | 6234.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Wage and Salary Earners, Public Sector, Australia | March quarter 2005 | 6248.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Migrants, Australia | November 2004 | 6250.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Survey of Income and Housing - Basic and Expanded Confidentialised Unit Record Files, Technical Paper | 2002-03 | 6541.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Survey of Income and Housing: Confidentialised Unit Record File on CD-ROM/RADL | 2002-03 | 6541.0.30.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australians' Employment and Unemployment Patterns, 1994-1997: Expanded Confidentialised Unit Record File | 1994-1997 | 6286.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australians' Employment and Unemployment Patterns: Expanded Confidentialised Unit Record File, Technical Paper | 1994-1997 | 6286.0.55.002 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Employment Arrangements and Superannuation, Australia: Confidentialised Unit Record File | 2000 | 6361.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Employment Arrangements and Superannuation, Australia: Confidentialised Unit Record File, Technical Paper | 2000 | 6361.0.55.002 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Job Vacancies, Australia | May 2005 | 6354.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Information Paper: Job Vacancies, Australia, Changes to Time Series Spreadsheets | May 2005 | 6364.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
July 2005 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Labour Market Statistics | July 2005 | 6105.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia | June 2005 | 6202.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia - Detailed Delivery | June 2005 | 6291.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Social Trends | 2005 | 4102.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Household Income and Income Distribution, Australia | 2003-04 | 6523.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Household Expenditure Survey, Australia: Summary of Results | 2003-04 | 6530.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
August 2005 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Average Weekly Earnings, Australia | May 2005 | 6302.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia | July 2005 | 6202.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia - Detailed Delivery | July 2005 | 6291.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force Experience, Australia | February 2005 | 6206.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Information Paper: Census of Population and Housing - Proposed Products and Services | 2006 | 2011.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Price Index, Australia | June quarter 2005 | 6345.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
September 2005 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Industrial Disputes, Australia | June quarter 2005 | 6321.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Job Vacancies, Australia | August 2005 | 6354.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia | August 2005 | 6202.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia - Detailed Delivery | August 2005 | 6291.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force Survey Standard Errors | 2005 | 6298.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force Survey Standard Errors, Spreadsheets | 2005 | 6298.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Wage and Salary Earners, Public Sector, Australia | June quarter 2005 | 6248.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
October 2005 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australian Labour Market Statistics | October 2005 | 6105.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia | September 2005 | 6202.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour Force, Australia - Detailed Delivery | September 2005 | 6291.0.55.001 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
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NOTES
CHANGES IN THIS ISSUE
In addition to presenting unemployment and underutilisation rates for people aged 15 years and older, by age, sex and state/territory, this issue of Australian Labour Market Statistics presents underemployment rates in tables 4.2 and 4.3.
DATA CONTAINED IN THIS ISSUE
The statistics shown are the latest available at 22 June 2005. Data sources for the tables in this publication are listed in Appendix 1.
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
The spreadsheets and data cubes referenced in this publication are available on the ABS web site at <https://www.abs.gov.au> [AusStats - Publications and Data], then [Data Cubes] or [Time Series Spreadsheets].
INQUIRIES
For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Assistant Director, Labour Market Statistics Section, on Canberra 02 6252 7636.
LABOUR MARKET SUMMARY
KEY MEASURES
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | % change from
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Measure | Series type | Period | Current figure | Previous quarter(a) | Previous year(b) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
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Employed | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Persons | '000 | Trend | May 2005 | 9,983.3 | 0.8 | 3.5 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Full-time | '000 | Trend | May 2005 | 7,130.2 | 0.8 | 3.2 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Part-time | '000 | Trend | May 2005 | 2,853.1 | 0.8 | 4.2 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Part-time employment as a proportion of total employment | % | Trend | May 2005 | 28.6 | (c)0.0 | (c)0.2 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Unemployed | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Persons | '000 | Trend | May 2005 | 541.0 | 1.2 | -6.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Looking for full-time work | '000 | Trend | May 2005 | 382.8 | 0.2 | -9.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Looking for part-time work | '000 | Trend | May 2005 | 158.2 | 3.6 | 2.2 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Unemployment rate | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Persons | % | Trend | May 2005 | 5.1 | (c)0.0 | (c)-0.5 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Long-term unemployment | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Persons | '000 | Trend | May 2005 | 91.5 | -6.0 | -23.7 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | As a proportion of total unemployment | % | Trend | May 2005 | 16.9 | (c)-1.3 | (c)-3.9 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Annual labour underutilisation rates(d) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Long-term unemployment rate | % | Original | Sep 2004 | 1.2 | na | (c)-0.1 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Unemployment rate | % | Original | Sep 2004 | 5.5 | na | (c)-0.4 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Underemployment rate | % | Original | Sep 2004 | 5.6 | na | (c)0.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Labour force underutilisation rate | % | Original | Sep 2004 | 11.1 | na | (c)-0.4 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Extended labour force underutilisation rate | % | Original | Sep 2004 | 12.2 | na | (c)-0.3 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Children living without an employed parent(e) | % | Original | Jun 2004 | 17.2 | na | (c)0.1 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Labour force participation rate | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Persons aged 15-64 years | % | Original | May 2005 | 75.6 | (c)0.1 | (c)1.2 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Total | % | Trend | May 2005 | 64.6 | (c)0.4 | (c)1.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Actual hours worked | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Aggregate weekly hours | mill. hours | Original | May 2005 | 345.4 | -0.6 | 3.4 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Average weekly hours - Persons | hours | Original | May 2005 | 34.6 | -1.6 | 0.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Average weekly hours - Full-time | hours | Original | May 2005 | 42.0 | -0.5 | 0.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Average weekly hours - Part-time | hours | Original | May 2005 | 16.6 | -2.1 | 0.7 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Part-time workers | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Proportion who preferred to work more hours | % | Original | May 2005 | 25.1 | (c)-1.2 | (c)-0.7 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Wage price index | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses | index no. | Trend | Mar qtr 2005 | 104.3 | 1.1 | 3.9 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Average weekly earnings | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Full-time adult ordinary time earnings | $ | Trend | Feb 2005 | 991.20 | 1.5 | 4.8 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | All employees total earnings | $ | Trend | Feb 2005 | 781.70 | 1.6 | 4.5 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Compensation of employees | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Household income account | $m | Trend | Mar qtr 2005 | 102,015 | 1.7 | 7.0 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Average earnings (National Accounts basis - nominal) per week | $ | Trend | Mar qtr 2005 | 909 | 1.0 | 3.7 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Industrial disputes | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Working days lost | '000 | Original | Mar qtr 2005 | 44.4 | -14.6 | -44.8 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Working days lost per 1,000 employees | number | Original | Mar qtr 2005 | 5.2 | -15.3 | -46.7 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
Job vacancies | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
![](/icons/ecblank.gif) | Australia | '000 | Trend | Feb 2005 | 145.2 | 5.8 | 29.8 | ![](/icons/ecblank.gif) |
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na not available |
(a) Same period previous quarter (monthly data is presented for the middle month of each quarter). |
(b) Same period previous year. |
(c) Change is in percentage points. |
(d) See table 4.1 or the Glossary for further explanation of labour underutilisation rates. |
(e) As a proportion of all children aged under 15 years. See the Explanatory Notes for information on family data. |
EMPLOYMENT: TREND SERIES
Full-time and total employment
Males and females
![Graph: Trend employment for males and females](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/000a4ade54d4d7b7ca25709200750254/Body/0.A360!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT: TREND SERIES
Proportion of total employment, Males
Proportion of total employment, Females
![Graph: Trend female part-time employment as a proportion of total female employment](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/000a4ade54d4d7b7ca25709200750254/Body/1.17C0!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: TREND SERIES
Males and females
![Graph: Trend unemployment rate for males and females](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/000a4ade54d4d7b7ca25709200750254/Body/1.21C2!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT: TREND SERIES
Proportion of total unemployment
![Graph: Long-term unemployment as a proportion of total unemployment, males and females](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/000a4ade54d4d7b7ca25709200750254/Body/1.30BC!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
UNDERUTILISED LABOUR
Labour underutilisation rates - 1994-2004
![Graph: Labour underutilisation rates, 1994 to 2004](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/000a4ade54d4d7b7ca25709200750254/Body/1.400C!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
PARTICIPATION RATE: TREND SERIES
WAGE PRICE INDEX: TREND SERIES
Total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses, Quarterly change
![Graph: Total hourly rates of pay excluding bonuses Quarterly change](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/000a4ade54d4d7b7ca25709200750254/Body/2.3918!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS: TREND SERIES
Full-time adult ordinary time earnings, Quarterly change
All employees total earnings, Level
![Graph: All employees total earnings, level](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/000a4ade54d4d7b7ca25709200750254/Body/3.1136!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES: ORIGINAL SERIES
Working days lost, Quarter ending
![Graph: Working days lost Quarter ending](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/000a4ade54d4d7b7ca25709200750254/Body/3.1F30!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
JOB VACANCIES: TREND SERIES
Job vacancies, By sector
![Graph: Job vacancies by sector](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/000a4ade54d4d7b7ca25709200750254/Body/3.2A44!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)