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Highlights
- As per ABS, payroll jobs increased by 0.3 per cent in the fortnight up to 27 November 2021.
- The labour market bore the brunt of the pandemic-induced lockdowns prior to November.
- Part-time jobs declined more than full-time jobs during the September quarter.
The Australian labour market seems to have blown past expectations in November 2021 following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions. This was evident in the employment numbers released last week and the latest weekly payroll jobs data announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). As per ABS, payroll jobs surged by 0.3 per cent in the fortnight up to 27 November 2021, following a 0.5 per cent increase in the previous fortnight.
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While an astounding recovery in the labour market was apparent in November, the prior months bore the brunt of the pandemic-induced lockdowns. This was reflected in the latest tourism satellite accounts released by the ABS, which demonstrated a considerable fall in tourism jobs in September 2021.
Let us quickly shed light on these statistics in some detail below:
Payroll jobs recovery
As per ABS, payroll jobs recovered in late November as lockdown and other restrictions eased gradually. Payroll jobs increases were strongest in the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania, where jobs increased by 0.9 per cent and 0.6 per cent, respectively. In fact, all states and territories recorded an increase in payroll jobs, except Northern Territory and Western Australia. Northern Territory saw the largest fall of 0.7 per cent in payroll jobs.
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In comparison to the last fortnight, the recovery in payroll jobs was more profound in the fortnight up to 27 November 2021. Looking at monthly statistics, both Victoria and Australian Capital Territory observed a significant surge of 1.7 per cent in payroll jobs. Northern Territory was the only region to see a fall of 0.9 per cent in the month since 30 October 2021.
November also saw a rapid recovery in employment and participation, which was underpinned by several people remaining attached to their job via the Delta lockdowns. The revival in employment was also evident in hours worked, as Aussies quickly returned to work in November.
Tourism jobs slowdown
In September this year, there were about 554,800 tourism jobs, which represent 9.2 per cent less jobs than June 2021. In comparison to September 2020, Australia saw 11.7 per cent less jobs in September 2021.
Looking at September 2021 quarterly numbers, industries with the biggest quarterly change in the number of jobs were:
- Accommodation – 12.1 per cent down
- Cafes, restaurants, and takeaway food services – 11.9 per cent down
- Clubs, pubs, taverns, and bars – 8.7 per cent down
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Notably, part-time jobs declined more than full-time jobs during the September quarter. Moreover, jobs worked by females fell more than jobs worked by males in the last quarter. The tourism jobs fell to their lowest level since March 2012 in the September quarter.
Although a slowdown in the labour market recovery was apparent in the September quarter, the market conditions have improved following the end of coronavirus lockdowns. It will be enticing to see if the labour market conditions will continue to strengthen in the coming year or the new Omicron variant will act as a roadblock in economic revival.
