AUGUST 2015 LABOUR FORCE...Employed persons ('000) 11 750.1 11 765.4 15.3 2.0 % Trend Aug 14 to Aug...

0.4 pts–0.1 pts65.065.1Participation rate (%)

0.1 pts–0.1 pts6.26.3Unemployment rate (%)

4.0 %–14.4781.1795.5Unemployed persons ('000)

2.0 %17.411 775.811 758.3Employed persons ('000)

Seasonally Adjusted

0.4 pts0.1 pts65.064.9Participation rate (%)

0.0 pts0.0 pts6.26.2Unemployment rate (%)

2.5 %6.5778.4771.9Unemployed persons ('000)

2.0 %15.311 765.411 750.1Employed persons ('000)

Trend

Aug 14 toAug 15

Jul 15 toAug 15

Aug2015

Jul2015

K E Y F I G U R E S

T R E N D E S T I M A T E S ( M O N T H L Y C H A N G E )

Employment increased to 11,765,400.

Unemployment increased to 778,400.

Unemployment rate remained steady at 6.2% from a revised July 2015 estimate.

Participation rate increased 0.1 pts to 65.0%.

Monthly hours worked in all jobs increased 0.7 million hours to 1,625.6 million hours.

S E A S O N A L L Y A D J U S T E D E S T I M A T E S ( M O N T H L Y C H A N G E )

Employment increased 17,400 to 11,775,800. Full-time employment increased 11,500 to

8,141,000 and part-time employment increased 5,900 to 3,634,800.

Unemployment decreased 14,400 to 781,100. The number of unemployed persons

looking for full-time work decreased 3,500 to 561,400 and the number of unemployed

persons only looking for part-time work decreased 11,000 to 219,700.

Unemployment rate decreased 0.1 pts to 6.2%.

Participation rate decreased 0.1 pts to 65.0%.

Monthly hours worked in all jobs decreased 0.6 million hours to 1,623.8 million hours.

L A B O U R U N D E R U T I L I S A T I O N ( Q U A R T E R L Y C H A N G E )

Trend estimates : The labour force underutilisation rate decreased to 14.3%.

Seasonally adjusted estimates: The labour force underutilisation rate remained steady at

14.3%. The male labour force underutilisation rate increased less than 0.1 pts to 12.4%.

The female labour force underutilisation rate decreased 0.1 pts to 16.6%.

K E Y P O I N T S

E M B A R G O : 1 1 . 3 0 A M ( C A N B E R R A T I M E ) T H U R S 1 0 S E P 2 0 1 5

LABOUR FORCE A U S T R A L I A

6202.0A U G U S T 2 0 1 5

For further informationabout these and relatedstatistics, contact theNational Information andReferral Service on1300 135 070, [email protected] Labour Force onCanberra (02) 6252 6525,[email protected].

Employed Persons

Aug2014

Nov Feb2015

May Aug

'000

11450

11530

11610

11690

11770

11850TrendSeas adj.

Unemployment Rate

Aug2014

Nov Feb2015

May Aug

%

5.6

5.8

6.0

6.2

6.4

6.6TrendSeas adj.

I N Q U I R I E S

w w w . a b s . g o v . a u

10 March 2016February 2016

11 February 2016January 2016

14 January 2016December 2015

10 December 2015November 2015

12 November 2015October 2015

15 October 2015September 2015

RELEASE DATEISSUEFO R T H C O M I N G I S S U E S

Da v i d W . Ka l i s c h

Au s t r a l i a n S t a t i s t i c i a n

0.3 ptsto–0.5 pts–0.1 ptsParticipation rate0.3 ptsto–0.5 pts–0.1 ptsUnemployment rate24 200to–53 000–14 400Total Unemployment75 400to–40 60017 400Total Employment

95% Confidence interval

Monthly

change

MOVEMENTS IN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SERIES BETWEEN JULY 2015 AND AUGUST 2015

The estimates in this publication are based on a sample survey. Published estimates and

movements are subject to sampling variability. Standard errors give a measure of

sampling variability. The interval bounded by two standard errors is the 95% confidence

interval, which provides a way of looking at the variability inherent in estimates. There is

a 95% chance that the true value of the estimate lies within that interval.

SA M P L I N G ER R O R

Estimates of changes shown on the front cover and used in the commentary have been

calculated using unrounded estimates, and may be different from, but are more accurate

than, movement obtained from the rounded estimates. The graphs on the front cover

also depict unrounded estimates.

RO U N D I N G

Commencing with this issue, rebenchmarking will be undertaken quarterly in the

February, May, August and November issues. (see Population Benchmarks in the

Explanatory Notes). Rebenchmarked data comparable with the July 2015 issue of this

publication are available in the Information Paper: Rebenchmarked Labour Force

Estimates (cat.no.6202.0.55.002).

RE B E N C H M A R K I N G OF

LA B O U R FO R C E SE R I E S

2 A B S • L A B O U R FO R C E • 6 2 0 2 . 0 • A U G 2 0 1 5

N O T E S

Seasonally adjusted full-time employment increased by 11,500 persons to 8,141,000

persons while part-time employment increased by 5,900 to 3,634,800 persons in August

2015. The increase in total employment resulted from:

an increase in male full-time employment, up 10,100 persons

an increase in female part-time employment, up 6,500 persons

an increase in female full-time employment, up 1,400 persons

a decrease in male part-time employment, down 600 persons.

Seasonally adjusted monthly hours worked in all jobs decreased 0.6 million hours in

August 2015 to 1,623.8 million hours.

Mar2014

Jul Nov Mar2015

Jul

%

59.0

59.5

60.0

60.5

61.0

61.5

62.0

62.5TrendSeasonally adjusted

EMPLOYMENT TO POPULAT ION RATIO , PERSONS, March 2014 toAugust 2015

Australia's unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage points to 6.2% in August 2015

(seasonally adjusted) with:

the number of employed persons increasing by 17,400 to 11,775,800, and

the number of unemployed persons decreasing by 14,400 to 781,100,

the participation rate decreasing 0.1 percentage points to 65.0%.

The seasonally adjusted underemployment rate was unchanged at 8.4% in August 2015.

Combined with the unemployment rate, the latest seasonally adjusted estimate of total

labour force underutilisation was unchanged at 14.3% in August 2015. In trend terms, the

underemployment rate was unchanged at 8.4% in August 2015 and total labour force

underutilisation was unchanged at 14.3% from a revised May 2015.

In trend terms the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.2% in August 2015. The

number of employed persons in August 2015 increased by 15,300 to 11,765,400 and the

number of unemployed persons increased by 6,500 to 778,400 in trend terms. The trend

participation rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 65.0% in August 2015.

The employment to population ratio, which expresses the number of employed persons as a percentage of the civilian population aged 15 years and over, was 61.0% in August 2015 (seasonally adjusted), unchanged from July 2015. In trend terms, the employment

to population ratio increased less than 0.1 percentage points to 61.0%.

NA T I O N A L ES T I M A T E S

A B S • L A B O U R FO R C E • 6 2 0 2 . 0 • A U G 2 0 1 5 3

L A B O U R F O R C E C O M M E N T A R Y A U G U S T 2 0 1 5

Gross flows (Table 17) highlight the change in labour force status of individuals between

last month and this month. Gross flows are derived from the sample that is common

between two consecutive months which, after taking account of sample rotation and

varying non-response each month, is approximately 80% of the sample. However, the

level and movement estimates produced from the Gross flows will not necessarily

represent 80% of the level and movement estimates in a given month from the whole

sample. Despite this limitation, analysis of the gross flows data can provide an indication,

in original terms, of underlying movements in the labour market.

In original terms between July and August 2015 the number of persons employed

decreased by 57,600 with gross flows showing a net decrease of 15,100. The decrease

shown in the gross flows comprised:

257,000 persons whose status changed from employed to not in the labour force,

90,300 persons whose status changed from employed to unemployed,

119,100 persons whose status changed from unemployed to employed, and

213,200 persons whose status changed from not in the labour force to employed.

GR O S S F L O W S

np not available for publication but included in totals whereapplicable, unless otherwise indicated

6.26.36.26.2Australianpnp4.84.6Australian Capital Territorynpnp4.44.4Northern Territory6.46.66.56.6Tasmania6.16.46.16.0Western Australia7.97.98.17.9South Australia6.56.56.46.4Queensland6.16.46.26.1Victoria6.06.05.95.9New South Wales

%%%%

AugustJulyAugustJuly

SEASONALLYADJUSTEDTREND

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, STATES AND TERRITORIES, Ju l y 2015 andAugust 2015

The largest absolute increases in seasonally adjusted employment were in Queensland

(up 11,200 persons), New South Wales (up 9,200 persons) and Western Australia (up

7,000 persons). The only state with a decrease in seasonally adjusted employment was

Victoria (down 6,600 persons).

The only decrease in the seasonally adjusted participation rate was in Victoria (down 0.5

percentage points), while the largest increase was in Tasmania (up 0.5 percentage

points).

The largest decreases in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate were in Victoria

(down 0.3 percentage points), Western Australia (down 0.3 percentage points) and

Tasmania (down 0.2 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted estimates are not published for the territories and the ABS

recommends using trend estimates to analyse the underlying behaviour of the series.

ST A T E ES T I M A T E S


L A B O U R F O R C E C O M M E N T A R Y A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 continued

In original terms between July and August 2015 the number of persons unemployed

decreased by 9,400 with gross flows showing a net decrease of 18,800. The decrease

shown in the gross flows comprised:

130,400 persons whose status changed from unemployed to not in the labour force,

90,300 persons whose status changed from employed to unemployed,

119,100 persons whose status changed from unemployed to employed, and

140,400 persons whose status changed from not in the labour force to unemployed.

As the gross flows data are presented in original terms they are not directly comparable

to the seasonally adjusted and trend data discussed elsewhere in the commentary.

GR O S S F L O W S continued


L A B O U R F O R C E C O M M E N T A R Y A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 continued

Graph 1 shows that online collection take up rates in aggregate were very consistent

since January 2014. The lowest take up rate since January 2014 was 17.4% in January 2014

(when only 81% of the sample was offered the online option), with the highest at 24.1%

in June 2015. The average take up rate since January 2014 was 21.6%. This compares to

ON L I N E CO L L E C T I O N TA K E

UP

Households selected in the Labour Force Survey are sent a letter and brochure informing

them that they have been selected to participate in the survey. Since February 2014,

survey respondents are asked to use the unique user name and password provided in

the letter to register an email address and other contact details for the household, or to

contact the ABS if they are unable to participate in the survey online. A notification is

then sent to respondents who have registered their contact details electronically to

advise that the survey questionnaire is available for completion online within a specified

one week period. Respondents who are unable to participate in the survey online, along

with respondents who register contact details for the household electronically but do

not complete the survey questionnaire online within the specified one week period, are

subsequently contacted by an ABS interviewer to complete the survey questionnaire

either via telephone or face-to-face. This represents an "opt out" approach to online data

collection, and encourages survey participants to complete the survey online where

possible at a time which is convenient to them.

CU R R E N T CO L L E C T I O N

PR O C E D U R E S

From December 2012 to April 2013, the ABS conducted a trial of online data collection.

During this time, respondents in one rotation group (i.e. one-eighth of the survey

sample) were offered the option of self completing their Labour Force Survey (LFS)

questionnaire online instead of via a telephone or face-to-face interview. From May 2013,

the ABS expanded the offer of online collection to 50% of each new incoming rotation

group. This coincided with the introduction of the current sample, based on the 2011

Census of Population and Housing. From September 2013, online collection has been

offered to 100% of private dwellings in each incoming rotation group and by April 2014,

100% of private dwellings were being offered online collection. Interviewer collection

(both telephone and face-to-face) continues to be available for those respondents where

online self completion is inappropriate for operational, technological or personal

reasons.

The ABS used the initial trial of offering online data collection to one rotation group and

the progressive introduction of the offer to other rotation groups, to measure the impact

on the Labour Force series of the move to online self completion. Statistical analysis

during this period concluded there was no evidence of any reporting bias due to the

introduction of online questionnaires. However, the analysis could not rule out that

some small impact may be present, as the sample of online reporters was not sufficiently

large to detect if there were any small impacts. Ongoing monitoring and analysis of

online responses has not identified a significant impact from the move to online self

completion.

BA C K G R O U N D

Households selected in the ABS's Labour Force Survey traditionally responded through a

telephone or face-to-face interview, but from December 2012 the option of responding

through an online questionnaire was introduced to provide respondents with greater

choice and to ensure that data collection remains cost-effective. This note provides

updated information on the take up rate of the online questionnaire.

I N T R O D U C T I O N


O N L I N E C O L L E C T I O N I N T H E L A B O U R F O R C E S U R V E Y

The LFS sample can also be thought of as comprising sub-samples based in each capital

city and the rest of each state. For the period April 2014 (when the online option

commenced being offered to 100% of the sample) to June 2015, the combined online

collection take up rates for capital cities were consistently higher than those for the

combined rest of states (refer Graph 3). The largest difference in take up rates was seen

100% of sample offered online collection from April 2014

Jan 2014 May 2014 Sep 2014 Jan 2015 May 2015

%

0

5

10

15

20

25IncomingOutgoing

GRAPH 2 - ONLINE COLLECT ION TAKE UP RATES, by rotat ion group

The LFS sample is divided into eight distinct sub-samples, or rotation groups, with each

sub-sample remaining in the survey for eight months. A new rotation group is

introduced each month to replace an outgoing rotation group. This replacement sample

generally comes from the same geographic area as the outgoing one. Graph 2 shows that

online collection take up rates varied somewhat between incoming and outgoing

rotation groups since January 2014. The largest absolute difference in take up rates was

seen in June 2014, with the take up rate for the incoming rotation group 6.3 percentage

points higher than for the outgoing rotation group. The difference in the take up rate

between an outgoing and incoming rotation group is one cause of the variation in month

to month take up rates shown in Graph 1.



%

0

5

10

15

20

25

GRAPH 1 - ONLINE COLLECT ION TAKE UP RATES

the 2013 average take up rate of 17.5% of those offered an online option. The ABS is

continuing to explore options for making online collection a more attractive option for

households.


UP continued


O N L I N E C O L L E C T I O N I N T H E L A B O U R F O R C E S U R V E Y continued

Graph 4 shows that average online collection take up rates for each state for the period

October 2014 to June 2015 were fairly consistent with the highest take up rate seen in

Western Australia (at 24.9%) and the lowest in Queensland (at 20.8%). This contrasted

with results for each territory, which varied most from the national average of 22.0% for

these months. The average take up rate for the same period for the Northern Territory

was 11.4% (noting that online data collection was not offered to sample in Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander communities and very remote areas), while the take up rate for the

Australian Capital Territory was 30.7%.


April 2014 Aug 2014 Dec 2014 Apr 2015

%

0

10

20

30Capital cityRest of State

GRAPH 3 - ONLINE COLLECT ION TAKE UP RATES, by Capi ta l ci t y / Restof State

in June 2015 where the combined capital cities rate was 6.9 percentage points higher

than that for the combined rest of states. From April 2014 to June 2015, the average take

up rate for the combined capital cities was 23.5% and 19.1% for the combined rest of

states.


UP continued





%

0

2

4

6

8

GRAPH 5 - ONL INE COLLECT ION, % from prev ious l y in terv iewedhouseho lds

Survey respondents who complete their survey with the help of a trained interviewer in a

month are still able to use online collection for any subsequent month in the survey.

Graph 5 shows of those survey respondents who completed their survey with the help of

an ABS interviewer in the previous month, the proportion who used online collection in

the following month. For example, of those survey respondents who completed their

survey with the help of an ABS interviewer in May 2015, 7.1% subsequently completed

the questionnaire online in June 2015.


UP continued



59.15 782.96.3365.1230.855.35 417.82 503.22 914.6August59.05 768.06.2360.2226.255.35 407.92 500.02 907.8July58.95 751.16.2355.7221.455.25 395.32 496.32 899.1June58.75 733.16.1351.8217.255.15 381.32 492.32 889.0May58.65 716.56.1349.4214.455.15 367.12 489.02 878.1April58.65 702.56.1348.8213.155.05 353.62 486.92 866.7March58.55 691.56.2350.4213.454.95 341.12 484.82 856.3February58.55 682.86.2353.1214.554.95 329.72 481.92 847.8January

2015

58.55 674.96.3355.4215.754.95 319.62 477.92 841.7December58.55 667.36.3356.2216.654.85 311.12 472.72 838.4November58.55 660.86.3356.1217.954.85 304.72 466.32 838.3October58.55 655.06.3354.8219.654.95 300.22 459.62 840.7September58.55 650.06.2351.9220.654.95 298.12 453.92 844.2August

201458.55 562.45.6312.3200.455.25 250.12 414.22 835.9August 201358.75 482.25.3287.9181.655.65 194.22 373.42 820.8August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


201471.36 584.05.8379.5307.667.26 204.51 055.15 149.4August 201371.66 504.55.2340.2275.167.96 164.3995.95 168.4August 2012

MA L E S


2015


201464.812 146.35.7691.8508.061.111 454.63 469.37 985.3August 201365.111 986.65.2628.1456.861.711 358.53 369.37 989.2August 2012

PE R S O N S

%'000%'000'000%'000'000'000

Participation

rateTotal

Unemployment

rateTotal

Looked

for

full-time

work

Employment

to

population

ratioTotalPart-timeFull-time

LABOUR FORCEUNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER) , Aust ra l ia : Trend1



2015


201458.65 565.95.7317.9200.455.25 248.02 403.12 844.9August 201358.55 462.95.0272.8179.355.65 190.12 384.72 805.4August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


201471.36 581.15.8382.9304.867.16 198.21 054.55 143.7August 201371.66 499.15.2337.9281.567.86 161.2993.35 167.9August 2012

MA L E S


2015


201464.812 147.05.8700.8505.261.111 446.23 457.67 988.6August 201364.911 962.05.1610.7460.761.611 351.33 377.97 973.4August 2012

PE R S O N S

%'000%'000'000%'000'000'000

Participation

rateTotal

Unemployment

rateTotal

Looked

for

full-time

work

Employment

to

population



LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER) , Aust ra l ia : Seasona l l y ad jus ted2


9 795.34 047.758.75 747.56.0343.1205.755.25 404.42 531.32 873.1August9 782.94 003.159.15 779.86.3364.9234.055.45 415.02 490.42 924.6July9 770.64 019.358.95 751.25.8336.1218.255.45 415.12 517.12 898.0June9 759.64 002.259.05 757.45.9340.2202.455.55 417.12 520.32 896.8May9 748.64 022.058.75 726.66.2356.9217.155.15 369.72 501.92 867.8April9 737.64 004.458.95 733.36.6380.0224.655.05 353.32 510.62 842.7March9 723.63 962.559.25 761.16.8391.1234.555.25 370.02 479.22 890.8February9 709.54 093.657.85 615.96.7375.6235.354.05 240.32 402.82 837.5January

2015

9 695.43 977.459.05 718.06.0340.3215.955.55 377.72 493.12 884.5December9 684.94 053.858.15 631.15.8323.8198.854.85 307.32 492.32 815.1November9 674.44 019.858.45 654.66.1347.4204.954.95 307.22 468.62 838.6October9 663.94 008.758.55 655.16.1344.0212.155.05 311.22 468.62 842.6September9 652.53 981.058.85 671.65.9336.2203.955.35 335.42 500.22 835.2August

20149 503.43 987.958.05 515.55.6306.5189.054.85 209.02 396.52 812.4August 20139 339.83 925.358.05 414.54.8262.5168.455.25 152.02 379.72 772.3August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


20149 235.72 716.170.66 519.65.7373.0298.966.66 146.61 047.15 099.4August 20139 082.02 645.670.96 436.45.1327.6274.067.36 108.8985.95 122.9August 2012

MA L E S


2015


201418 739.16 704.064.212 035.15.6679.5487.960.611 355.63 443.77 911.9August 201318 421.86 571.064.311 850.85.0590.1442.461.111 260.83 365.57 895.2August 2012

PE R S O N S

'000'000%'000%'000'000%'000'000'000

Partici-

pation

rateTotal

Unemp-

loyment

rateTotal

Looked

for full-

time

work

Employment

to

population

ratioTotal

Part-

time

Full-

time

Civilian

population

aged 15

and over

Not

in the

labour

force


LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER) , Aust ra l ia : Or ig ina l3


64.512 459.66.1761.460.611 698.38 056.1Australia

69.8217.95.311.566.1206.5152.0Australian Capital Territory76.2142.05.07.172.3134.9108.9Northern Territory60.8256.66.316.356.9240.4155.3Tasmania68.31 434.65.984.764.31 350.0950.9Western Australia62.0867.67.766.557.3801.1521.5South Australia65.12 493.86.3157.361.02 336.51 627.7Queensland63.93 105.66.0186.160.02 919.61 935.7Victoria63.63 941.45.9231.859.93 709.52 604.2New South Wales

OR I G I N A L

65.012 556.86.2781.161.011 775.88 141.0Australia

61.4259.26.416.657.5242.6158.0Tasmania69.01 449.16.188.964.81 360.2960.9Western Australia62.7877.87.969.657.8808.2528.9South Australia65.52 510.46.5162.161.32 348.31 639.9Queensland64.43 133.66.1190.660.52 943.01 960.9Victoria64.23 975.96.0238.760.33 737.22 633.1New South Wales

SE A S O N A L L Y AD J U S T E D

65.012 543.86.2778.461.011 765.48 134.0Australia

70.4219.84.810.567.0209.2153.6Australian Capital Territory76.0141.64.46.372.6135.4109.5Northern Territory61.1257.96.516.957.1241.0155.9Tasmania68.81 445.16.188.564.61 356.6954.8Western Australia62.8877.78.171.057.7806.7525.1South Australia65.42 504.56.4159.461.22 345.11 643.6Queensland64.63 139.66.2194.260.62 945.41 965.2Victoria64.13 966.95.9234.460.33 732.62 631.1New South Wales

TR E N D

%'000%'000%'000'000

Participation

rateTotal

Unemployment

rateTotal

Employment

to population

ratioTotalFull-time


LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER) , States & Ter r i to r ies —August 20154


3 152.958.358.36.56.5119.8119.61 719.81 716.6966.0966.1August3 149.058.458.06.66.5121.1117.91 718.61 708.5962.5958.9July3 145.257.657.76.46.4115.3115.91 696.11 699.0956.9949.7June3 141.757.257.46.26.3112.1113.81 686.21 689.0935.7939.4May3 138.357.057.16.36.2112.6111.71 675.41 679.5925.0928.6April3 134.956.856.86.06.2106.9110.01 673.11 671.8916.4917.4March3 130.356.856.76.36.1112.4108.81 666.61 666.6913.6907.3February3 125.856.656.76.16.1107.7108.31 660.51 663.6898.8899.8January

2015

3 121.256.656.76.06.1106.0108.21 662.11 661.3891.8895.3December3 117.456.856.76.16.1107.9108.41 662.41 658.8887.2893.7November3 113.656.956.76.16.1108.5108.31 662.11 656.3895.8894.7October3 109.756.556.76.36.1111.0107.71 646.51 654.2902.7897.8September3 106.256.756.76.06.0106.0106.41 654.11 653.3904.3902.4August

20143 058.657.757.25.95.8104.4101.91 660.11 647.9915.6908.5August 20133 013.056.056.54.34.873.081.11 615.81 622.3885.6900.1August 2012

FE M A L E S

3 042.670.270.15.65.4119.0114.82 017.42 015.91 667.01 665.0August3 038.669.970.05.45.4115.5114.82 009.32 011.61 665.41 660.7July3 034.569.869.95.45.5113.7115.82 004.22 005.51 657.21 654.0June3 031.069.869.85.45.6113.5117.52 001.51 998.01 645.61 647.1May3 027.569.869.75.75.7119.6120.11 994.41 989.21 627.91 640.6April3 023.969.769.65.95.9123.4123.11 985.21 980.81 646.31 635.9March3 019.269.369.56.16.0127.0125.51 963.91 974.11 636.61 633.8February3 014.569.369.56.46.0133.2126.11 956.81 969.81 612.21 633.2January

2015

3 009.869.669.55.86.0120.6124.71 973.31 968.11 647.91 633.8December3 006.170.169.55.95.8124.8121.91 982.41 968.21 642.81 634.9November3 002.469.169.55.55.7115.2119.31 960.71 968.41 628.91 635.8October2 998.769.569.55.65.7116.8118.11 967.91 967.11 629.71 636.0September2 994.969.469.55.55.7114.9117.91 964.31 964.31 630.81 634.5August

20142 950.469.869.95.85.6120.3115.81 940.31 946.71 595.81 596.8August 20132 909.069.670.04.95.399.3108.01 925.61 926.91 595.01 605.3August 2012

MA L E S


2015


20146 009.063.763.55.95.7224.7217.83 600.43 594.62 511.42 505.3August 20135 922.062.763.14.65.1172.4189.13 541.33 549.22 480.62 505.4August 2012

PE R S O N S

'000%%%%'000'000'000'000'000'000

Original

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

CIVILIANPOPULATIONAGED 15 YEARSAND OVER

PARTICIPATIONRATE

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE

UNEMPLOYEDTOTALEMPLOYED TOTAL

EMPLOYEDFULL-TIME

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER)— New South Wales5



2015


20142 393.058.658.65.65.779.179.81 322.31 322.8677.5681.6August 20132 349.759.059.25.55.775.878.91 310.21 311.6688.8686.7August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


20142 298.771.271.35.95.996.096.71 540.41 541.11 273.31 271.9August 20132 258.871.171.45.65.390.585.71 514.71 526.31 257.01 263.8August 2012

MA L E S


2015


20144 691.764.764.85.85.8175.1176.52 862.72 864.01 950.81 953.5August 20134 608.464.965.25.65.5166.3164.62 824.92 837.91 945.91 950.5August 2012

PE R S O N S

'000%%%%'000'000'000'000'000'000

Original

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend


PARTICIPATIONRATE

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE


EMPLOYEDFULL-TIME

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER)— Victo r ia6



2015


20141 887.359.759.95.65.662.863.21 063.21 066.6599.4594.9August 20131 851.160.059.96.06.067.066.31 044.21 041.9583.8583.7August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


20141 835.171.771.86.06.178.780.21 236.21 238.01 041.01 046.4August 20131 804.373.673.05.85.876.876.31 250.51 239.91 063.71 054.6August 2012

MA L E S


2015


20143 722.465.665.85.85.9141.5143.42 299.42 304.51 640.41 641.3August 20133 655.466.766.35.95.9143.8142.62 294.72 281.91 647.51 638.3August 2012

PE R S O N S

'000%%%%'000'000'000'000'000'000

Original

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend


PARTICIPATIONRATE

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE


EMPLOYEDFULL-TIME

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER)— Queens land7


712.157.857.87.37.229.929.8381.4381.8185.6182.7August711.757.757.57.17.229.229.4381.4380.0182.3181.6July711.357.357.37.17.128.729.1378.6378.2178.6180.8June710.857.156.97.57.130.328.6375.9376.0178.5180.1May710.356.556.66.97.027.828.3373.7373.9180.8179.8April709.856.156.36.67.026.428.0372.0371.8180.7179.8March709.155.656.17.07.027.627.8367.0370.1179.1180.3February708.456.856.07.37.029.327.7373.0368.9182.8181.2January

2015

707.755.655.96.86.926.827.4366.7368.4179.3181.7December707.356.055.97.06.827.626.9368.6368.6181.5182.1November706.855.656.06.66.726.126.4366.8369.1187.4182.4October706.456.156.06.66.526.125.7370.4369.9180.1182.5September706.056.456.16.16.424.425.2373.8370.5180.8182.2August

2014699.556.356.27.16.327.924.7365.7368.6181.8183.4August 2013692.956.556.85.25.420.421.2371.0372.6176.5178.4August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


2014673.768.668.76.86.631.330.5430.6432.0342.6348.0August 2013667.868.668.66.05.727.726.1430.3431.8350.6352.2August 2012

MA L E S

1 398.862.762.87.98.169.671.0808.2806.7528.9525.1August1 397.962.462.67.97.968.969.4804.0806.1527.1525.7July1 397.062.662.58.17.770.567.6803.4805.6520.5526.9June1 396.062.762.37.77.567.365.5808.2804.8525.9528.6May1 395.162.262.27.37.363.263.2804.5803.8533.3530.4April1 394.161.762.06.57.155.861.1804.1802.4537.0532.0March1 392.761.561.86.96.959.359.6797.1800.9532.7533.2February1 391.262.261.77.36.863.058.6802.1799.7535.2534.3January

2015

1 389.861.461.76.66.856.357.9796.9799.4527.6535.1December1 388.961.861.76.76.757.157.3800.6800.2535.4536.0November1 388.061.861.96.76.657.456.8800.0801.7543.9537.2October1 387.162.162.06.86.658.256.5803.2803.3537.4538.3September1 386.162.162.15.96.651.256.5808.9804.3538.5538.3August

20141 373.262.362.36.96.459.255.1796.3800.6524.4531.3August 20131 360.762.462.65.75.648.147.3801.3804.4527.1530.5August 2012

PE R S O N S

'000%%%%'000'000'000'000'000'000

Original

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend


PARTICIPATIONRATE

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE


EMPLOYEDFULL-TIME

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER)— South Aust ra l ia8



2015


20141 009.660.160.05.54.533.227.4573.2578.0315.6313.5August 2013

981.961.961.64.34.526.227.5581.6577.3310.2312.9August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


20141 026.576.576.24.64.636.036.2749.5746.0640.0638.6August 2013

996.876.676.83.73.528.126.8735.2738.4644.6641.9August 2012

MA L E S


2015


20142 036.168.468.25.04.669.363.61 322.71 324.0955.5952.1August 20131 978.769.369.24.04.054.354.31 316.91 315.7954.9954.8August 2012

PE R S O N S

'000%%%%'000'000'000'000'000'000

Original

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend


PARTICIPATIONRATE

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE


EMPLOYEDFULL-TIME

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER)— Weste rn Aust ra l ia9



2015


2014211.655.655.57.27.58.48.9109.2108.650.249.6August 2013210.955.055.06.96.88.07.8107.9108.048.949.1August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


2014206.564.564.79.18.612.111.5121.1122.195.896.6August 2013205.866.266.16.76.89.19.2127.2126.8101.3100.5August 2012

MA L E S


2015


2014418.060.060.18.28.120.520.4230.4230.7146.0146.1August 2013416.760.560.46.86.817.217.1235.1234.8150.3149.5August 2012

PE R S O N S

'000%%%%'000'000'000'000'000'000

Original

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend


PARTICIPATIONRATE

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE


EMPLOYEDFULL-TIME

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER)— Tasman ia10


88.871.84.12.661.044.3August88.671.94.12.661.144.2July88.572.14.02.661.244.1June88.472.24.02.561.344.1May88.472.33.92.561.344.1April88.372.13.82.461.244.1March88.271.53.72.360.743.9February88.270.63.52.260.043.5January

2015

88.169.53.42.159.242.9December88.268.53.32.058.442.1November88.367.83.52.157.841.5October88.367.83.72.257.641.4September88.268.23.82.357.841.8August

201487.470.75.73.558.242.0August 201385.870.74.22.558.142.7August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


201495.779.65.44.172.163.5August 201392.077.33.92.868.460.7August 2012

MA L E S


2015


2014183.175.35.57.6130.3105.5August 2013177.874.14.05.3126.5103.4August 2012

PE R S O N S

'000%%'000'000'000

OriginalTrendTrendTrendTrendTrend


PARTICIPATIONRATE

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE

UNEMPLOYEDTOTAL

EMPLOYEDTOTAL

EMPLOYEDFULL-TIME

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER)— Northern Ter r i to ry11



2015


2014156.566.93.94.1100.662.7August 2013154.569.53.33.5103.867.3August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


2014149.176.74.04.6109.790.1August 2013147.576.44.34.8107.890.4August 2012

MA L E S


2015


2014305.671.74.08.8210.3152.8August 2013302.172.83.88.4211.7157.8August 2012

PE R S O N S

'000%%'000'000'000

OriginalTrendTrendTrendTrendTrend


PARTICIPATIONRATE

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE

UNEMPLOYEDTOTAL

EMPLOYEDTOTAL

EMPLOYEDFULL-TIME

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER)— Aust ra l ian Cap i ta l Ter r i to ry12


67.612.5129.563.665.959.1902.4546.4356.0August67.312.5128.062.765.358.9899.9544.8355.1July67.012.4126.761.864.858.7896.0542.6353.4June66.612.3125.561.064.558.4891.6540.4351.2May66.312.3124.960.464.558.1887.0538.6348.5April66.112.4125.260.464.857.9882.9537.4345.5March66.012.6126.661.565.057.7879.7536.8342.9February66.112.8128.363.465.057.6877.9536.7341.2January

2015

66.112.9129.765.264.557.6877.3536.5340.8December66.212.9129.766.263.557.7877.6536.1341.5November66.212.8128.766.262.557.7878.7535.6343.1October66.212.6127.165.262.057.8880.0535.3344.7September66.212.5125.763.562.157.9880.7535.5345.3August

201466.611.7117.748.968.858.8890.2537.5352.7August 201366.411.0109.752.757.059.1889.0511.8377.2August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


201467.213.0138.747.591.258.5925.5388.2537.2August 201368.212.5134.143.191.059.6936.1372.9563.1August 2012

MA L E S

67.913.6288.9124.4164.058.61 833.1959.2875.0August67.813.6287.3123.8162.858.61 830.8956.6874.7July67.613.6286.4123.4162.358.41 826.3953.1873.1June67.413.6285.5122.8162.258.31 821.1949.4871.3May67.213.6284.9122.1162.858.11 815.1945.9869.3April67.113.6285.2121.6164.157.91 809.4942.7867.9March67.113.7286.4121.9165.457.81 804.7939.5867.5February67.113.7287.7123.0165.657.71 801.3936.1867.8January

2015

67.013.8288.5124.2164.557.71 798.6932.3868.9December66.913.8288.6125.3162.557.61 796.4928.2870.0November66.813.8288.3125.5161.057.61 794.4924.2871.3October66.713.8287.6124.3160.957.51 792.2920.7872.4September66.613.8286.3121.7161.857.51 790.1918.4872.8August

201466.912.3255.396.4160.058.71 818.2925.7889.9August 201367.311.8243.295.8148.059.41 827.0884.8940.3August 2012

PE R S O N S

%%'000'000'000%'000'000'000

Participation

rate

Unemployment

rateTotal

Looked

for

part-time

work only

Looked

for

full-time

work

Employment

to

population


LABOURFORCEUNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15- 24 YEARS) , Aus t ra l ia —Trend13



2015


201466.812.1122.452.370.158.7889.1533.3355.8August 201365.310.5103.147.555.658.4879.0514.7364.3August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


201467.213.4142.949.793.258.2921.1384.5536.6August 201368.312.4133.141.991.259.8939.6376.2563.3August 2012

MA L E S

67.913.7290.5124.6166.058.61 834.1961.2871.8August68.113.8293.7123.6169.158.61 830.3959.9877.3July67.513.4281.6123.9159.158.51 826.7948.3876.9June67.213.4282.4122.2156.158.31 821.0955.3865.8May67.113.6284.7124.2161.358.11 816.9937.7873.0April67.213.6286.5119.5167.558.01 813.1946.0868.2March67.113.7287.1121.0166.657.81 804.9941.9866.5February66.814.1293.6124.2171.357.11 782.0932.8855.2January

2015

67.213.0271.1120.1154.958.11 808.7934.5883.7December67.414.5303.5124.8173.258.01 807.5933.9868.0November66.614.0289.8134.4155.757.41 789.5913.9872.4October66.413.6281.9121.8156.557.41 789.9925.9867.0September66.513.7283.6118.5160.857.41 789.4920.9869.8August

201467.012.6260.7102.1163.258.71 816.8917.8892.4August 201366.811.3232.989.5146.759.31 824.2890.9927.7August 2012

PE R S O N S

%%'000'000'000%'000'000'000

Participation

rate

Unemployment

rateTotal

Looked

for

part-time

work only

Looked

for

full-time

work

Employment

to

population


LABOURFORCEUNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15- 24 YEARS) , Aust ra l i a : Seasona l l y ad jus ted14


1 528.1536.364.9991.812.1119.964.755.257.1872.0549.3322.6August 20151 521.8532.665.0989.311.4113.261.551.757.6876.1540.0336.1August 20141 514.0534.964.7979.011.3110.949.261.757.3868.1523.7344.4August 20131 504.2553.263.2951.09.893.144.748.457.0857.9505.4352.5August 2012

Females

1 601.1564.164.81 036.913.7142.449.792.755.9894.5397.7496.7August 20151 593.3559.264.91 034.114.2146.858.888.155.7887.2387.4499.8August 20141 583.0553.965.01 029.113.2136.246.190.256.4892.9378.4514.5August 20131 570.0533.266.01 036.812.2126.738.987.858.0910.1369.5540.6August 2012

Males

3 129.11 100.464.82 028.812.9262.3114.4147.956.51 766.5947.1819.4August 20153 115.11 091.865.02 023.312.9260.0120.2139.856.61 763.3927.4835.9August 20143 097.01 088.864.82 008.212.3247.195.3151.956.91 761.0902.1859.0August 20133 074.21 086.464.71 987.811.1219.883.6136.257.51 768.0874.9893.1August 2012

Persons

TO T A L

670.4125.881.2544.610.054.39.644.773.1490.3187.8302.5August 2015682.0126.181.5555.99.653.510.742.873.7502.4183.1319.2August 2014687.7134.380.5553.310.558.37.450.972.0495.0171.0324.0August 2013672.1131.280.5540.99.249.611.038.573.1491.3157.3334.0August 2012

Females


Males

1 453.9204.186.01 249.811.6144.916.5128.476.01 104.9330.3774.6August 20151 470.5216.485.31 254.210.6132.618.9113.776.31 121.6317.9803.7August 20141 469.2217.585.21 251.711.4142.513.9128.675.51 109.2297.2812.0August 20131 471.7230.884.31 240.910.3127.714.0113.775.61 113.2265.8847.4August 2012

Persons

NO T AT T E N D I N G FU L L - T I M E ED U C A T I O N


Females


Males

1 675.3896.346.5779.015.1117.498.019.539.5661.5616.844.8August 20151 644.6875.446.8769.116.6127.4101.326.139.0641.8609.632.2August 20141 627.8871.446.5756.513.8104.781.423.340.0651.8604.847.0August 20131 602.6855.646.6747.012.392.169.622.540.9654.9609.245.7August 2012

Persons

AT T E N D I N G FU L L - T I M E ED U C A T I O N

'000'000%'000%'000'000'000%'000'000'000

Part.

rateTotal

Unemp.

rateTotal

Looked

for part-

time only

Looked

for full-

time

Emp.

to pop.

ratioTotal

Part-

time

Full-

time

Civ.

pop.

aged

15-24

Not

in the

labour

force

(NILF)


LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15- 24 YEARS) , by Educat iona l attendance (fu l l -

t ime) —Aust ra l i a : Or ig ina l15


* estimate is subject to sampling variability too high for most practical purposes

3 129.11 100.464.82 028.812.9262.3114.4147.956.51 766.5947.1819.4Australia

52.921.359.731.517.35.42.82.649.426.114.711.4Australian Capital Territory

33.210.767.922.68.82.00.31.761.920.65.914.7Northern Territory65.120.468.744.814.96.73.03.758.538.119.718.4Tasmania

341.0116.765.8224.211.525.79.616.258.2198.5101.597.0Western Australia217.974.665.8143.415.221.89.812.055.8121.675.646.0South Australia645.3200.468.9444.912.455.019.635.460.4389.9192.0197.9Queensland785.2311.360.4474.014.267.234.233.051.8406.8242.8163.9Victoria988.5345.165.1643.412.278.535.143.457.1564.9295.0270.0New South Wales

TO T A L

1 453.9204.186.01 249.811.6144.916.5128.476.01 104.9330.3774.6Australia

19.82.189.417.714.72.6*0.52.176.315.14.210.9Australian Capital Territory

21.73.782.918.09.11.6*0.21.475.316.32.214.1Northern Territory33.25.683.227.712.03.3*0.42.973.324.46.617.7Tasmania

175.327.384.4148.011.617.2*1.615.674.6130.837.193.7Western Australia100.615.085.185.613.111.2*1.99.373.974.430.943.5South Australia353.652.685.1300.911.735.1*2.832.375.2265.877.0188.8Queensland307.741.986.4265.812.733.74.029.775.4232.174.2157.9Victoria442.055.887.4386.210.440.1*5.035.178.3346.298.1248.1New South Wales

NO T AT T E N D I N G FU L L - T I M E ED U C A T I O N

1 675.3896.346.5779.015.1117.498.019.539.5661.5616.844.8Australia

33.119.241.913.920.62.82.4*0.533.211.010.5*0.5Australian Capital Territory

11.67.039.84.67.20.3*0.1*0.336.94.33.70.6Northern Territory31.914.853.617.119.73.42.6*0.743.013.713.0*0.7Tasmania

165.789.446.076.311.28.57.9*0.640.967.764.4*3.4Western Australia117.359.549.357.818.410.67.92.740.247.244.6*2.6South Australia291.7147.749.3143.913.819.816.8*3.142.5124.1115.09.1Queensland477.5269.343.6208.216.133.530.2*3.336.6174.7168.66.1Victoria546.5289.347.1257.214.938.530.28.340.0218.8196.921.9New South Wales

AT T E N D I N G FU L L - T I M E ED U C A T I O N

'000'000%'000%'000'000'000%'000'000'000

Part.

rateTotal

Unemp.

rateTotal

Looked

for part-

time

only

Looked

for full-

time

Emp.

to

pop.

ratioTotal

Part-

time

Full-

time

Civ.

pop.

aged

15-24

Not

in the

labour

force

(NILF)


LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15- 24 YEARS) , by State , Ter r i to r y and Educat iona l

attendance (fu l l - t ime) —Augus t 201516


9 795.34 047.75 747.5343.15 404.42 531.32 873.1Civilian population aged 15 years and over

2 092.8981.01 111.871.91 039.9465.1574.8Total1 187.8498.6689.239.7649.5305.9343.6Incoming rotation group

905.0482.5422.532.2390.4159.2231.2Unmatched in common sampleUnmatched sample

7 702.53 066.74 635.8271.34 364.52 066.32 298.3Total3 043.92 845.3198.674.2124.496.028.4Not in the labour force (NILF)4 658.6221.34 437.2197.14 240.11 970.32 269.9Labour force

293.675.5218.1163.254.937.617.3Unemployed4 365.0145.84 219.233.94 185.31 932.72 252.6Employed total2 028.397.51 930.724.21 906.51 726.0180.5Employed part-time2 336.748.32 288.49.72 278.8206.72 072.0Employed full-time

Matched sample

FE M A L E S


2 065.4721.01 344.396.51 247.9233.81 014.0Total1 172.1344.4827.763.1764.6144.7619.8Incoming rotation group

893.3376.6516.633.3483.389.1394.2Unmatched in common sampleUnmatched sample

7 451.12 083.45 367.8321.75 046.0877.04 169.0Total2 072.31 917.2155.066.288.847.641.2Not in the labour force (NILF)5 378.9166.15 212.7255.54 957.2829.44 127.8Labour force

318.254.9263.3199.064.233.930.3Unemployed5 060.7111.24 949.556.44 893.0795.54 097.5Employed total

874.166.8807.221.1786.1650.9135.2Employed part-time4 186.644.44 142.235.34 106.9144.63 962.3Employed full-time

Matched sample

MA L E S


4 158.21 702.12 456.1168.42 287.7698.91 588.8Total2 359.9843.01 516.9102.91 414.1450.7963.4Incoming rotation group1 798.3859.1939.265.5873.7248.3625.4Unmatched in common sample

Unmatched sample

15 153.65 150.010 003.6593.09 410.62 943.36 467.3Total5 116.24 762.6353.6140.4213.2143.569.6Not in the labour force (NILF)

10 037.4387.59 650.0452.69 197.42 799.76 397.7Labour force611.8130.4481.3362.2119.171.447.6Unemployed

9 425.7257.09 168.690.39 078.32 728.36 350.0Employed total2 902.4164.42 738.045.42 692.62 376.9315.7Employed part-time6 523.392.76 430.645.06 385.7351.36 034.4Employed full-time

Matched sample

PE R S O N S

'000'000'000'000'000'000'000

Total

Not in the

labour

force (NILF)

Labour

forceUnemployed

Employed

total

Employed

part-time

Employed

full-time

LABOUR FORCE STATUS IN AUGUST 2015

Labou r fo r ce sta tu s in Ju l y 2015

LABOUR FORCE STATUS AND GROSS CHANGES (FLOWS)— Aust ra l ia : Or ig ina l —July 2015

to Augus t 201517



2015


2014167.6171.3454.9448.6622.5619.9August 2013166.7166.4436.9441.8603.6608.2August 2012

FE M A L E S


2015


201472.472.8902.2898.6974.6971.4August 201368.968.6901.1902.1970.0970.7August 2012

MA L E S

261.7262.51 362.11 363.11 623.81 625.6August263.2261.71 361.31 363.31 624.51 624.9July261.0261.01 366.91 363.91 627.91 624.9June260.6260.11 362.81 364.31 623.41 624.4May258.0259.41 363.51 364.01 621.41 623.4April258.0258.61 364.21 362.51 622.31 621.1March257.6257.81 360.71 359.31 618.31 617.2February260.8257.11 365.11 355.11 625.91 612.2January

2015

253.6256.21 337.91 350.71 591.51 606.9December254.8255.01 347.11 347.61 602.01 602.7November253.4253.71 348.31 346.61 601.71 600.3October254.0252.31 345.91 347.71 599.91 600.0September252.3251.11 347.61 349.91 599.91 601.0August

2014240.1244.21 357.11 347.11 597.21 591.3August 2013235.7235.01 338.01 343.91 573.71 578.9August 2012

PE R S O N S

millionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillions

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

EMPLOYEDPART-TIME

EMPLOYEDFULL-TIMEEMPLOYED TOTAL

MONTHLY HOURS WORKED IN ALL JOBS, by Employed fu l l - t ime, par t - t ime —Aust ra l i a18


np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated

1 623.8npnp31.4190.0106.5330.4399.6518.3August1 624.5npnp31.6191.8107.5323.5401.2520.2July1 627.9npnp31.4192.8105.2333.7401.6514.9June1 623.4npnp30.8193.4107.6336.2398.4508.3May1 621.4npnp31.3194.2108.8329.7402.2506.3April1 622.3npnp31.6192.4111.3331.3403.2503.4March1 618.3npnp31.8192.7109.3333.8399.5503.1February1 625.9npnp31.6193.5109.2337.3399.2506.9January

2015

1 591.5npnp31.4192.8106.9324.7392.3496.1December1 602.0npnp31.6193.8110.4321.2394.0503.4November1 601.7npnp31.6193.0110.7327.4388.7502.7October1 599.9npnp31.6191.7110.3326.6392.1499.7September1 599.9npnp31.0192.0111.5329.0387.5501.1August

20141 597.2npnp29.6190.8107.1332.4391.1498.7August 20131 573.7npnp30.9189.0107.5321.0386.9490.5August 2012

SE A S O N A L L Y AD J U S T E D

1 625.627.820.331.4191.4106.2329.1400.4519.1August1 624.928.020.431.3191.9106.6329.7400.6516.3July1 624.928.120.431.3192.5107.2330.8400.9513.5June1 624.428.220.531.3192.9107.9331.9401.2510.5May1 623.428.220.531.4193.2108.6332.9401.2507.4April1 621.128.220.431.5193.3109.0333.0400.8504.9March1 617.228.220.231.6193.3109.3332.0399.5503.1February1 612.228.120.031.6193.2109.3330.2397.5502.3January

2015

1 606.928.019.831.6193.1109.4328.2395.0501.7December1 602.728.019.731.6193.0109.6326.8392.6501.4November1 600.328.119.631.5193.0110.1326.1390.9501.2October1 600.028.219.631.4192.6110.5326.5390.2501.1September1 601.028.319.731.3192.0110.8327.7390.2501.1August

20141 591.327.719.529.8188.8107.7330.0389.9498.0August 20131 578.928.619.430.6190.6108.9322.5385.7492.5August 2012

TR E N D

millionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillions

Australia

Australian

Capital

Territory

Northern

TerritoryTasmania

Western

Australia

South

AustraliaQueenslandVictoria

New

South

Wales

MONTHLY HOURS WORKED IN ALL JOBS

MONTHLY HOURS WORKED IN ALL JOBS, by State and Ter r i to r y19


(a) Data for August 2014 to May 2015 have been revised, due to the incorrect inclusion of seasonal workers whose contract is ending asunderemployed, as this is not considered an economic reason.

16.516.616.610.510.610.6602.9611.4613.2August16.416.716.810.510.710.7606.1615.7613.9May17.316.916.910.510.710.8603.1609.6612.5February

2015

16.917.216.911.110.810.7626.8611.7604.1November16.516.616.610.610.410.4600.6585.6585.7August15.816.116.19.79.910.0550.7559.7564.9May16.915.915.89.79.99.9545.1553.1553.2February

201415.215.915.69.710.09.8533.9556.4544.3August 201313.914.514.79.09.39.4487.7509.6516.6August 201213.914.514.68.79.19.2467.6490.7494.2August 2011

FE M A L E S

12.312.412.36.16.56.4410.0439.8434.1August12.012.312.46.26.46.4416.7427.3432.7May12.812.512.66.36.46.5425.7430.7433.0February

2015

12.612.912.66.66.56.4442.4437.4430.4November12.512.412.46.56.36.3431.1422.5419.6August11.511.812.05.86.06.1386.9394.2402.0May12.211.811.85.76.05.9382.7393.5389.5February


MA L E S

14.214.314.38.18.48.41 012.91 051.21 047.3August14.014.314.48.28.48.41 022.71 043.01 046.7May14.914.514.68.28.48.41 028.81 040.31 045.5February

2015

14.614.814.68.78.58.41 069.21 049.11 034.4November14.314.314.38.48.28.21 031.61 008.11 005.3August13.513.813.97.67.87.9937.6954.0966.9May14.313.713.67.57.87.7927.7946.5942.7February


PE R S O N S

%%%%%%'000'000'000

Original

Seasonally

adjustedTrendOriginal

Seasonally

adjustedTrendOriginal

Seasonally

adjustedTrend

UNDERUTILISATION RATEUNDEREMPLOYMENT RATEUNDEREMPLOYED TOTAL

UNDERUT IL ISED PERSONS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER) (a) , Aust ra l i a20


(a) Data for August 2014 to May 2015 have been revised, due to theincorrect inclusion of seasonal workers whose contract is ending asunderemployed, as this is not considered an economic reason.

np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable,unless otherwise indicated

16.516.616.610.510.610.6602.9611.4613.2Australia

12.8np10.57.3np5.87.9np6.2Australian Capital Territory9.0np8.54.7np5.03.0np3.1Northern Territory

18.920.420.812.614.014.515.016.817.3Tasmania15.415.014.810.310.610.565.068.467.4Western Australia18.519.619.812.311.711.949.747.848.5South Australia16.316.616.511.010.910.8126.8128.2127.5Queensland17.117.117.110.610.810.8152.1157.1157.7Victoria16.216.616.810.010.410.6183.5188.1190.3New South Wales

FE M A L E S

12.312.412.36.16.56.4410.0439.8434.1Australia



MA L E S

14.214.314.38.18.48.41 012.91 051.21 047.3Australia



PE R S O N S

%%%%%%'000'000'000

Original

Seasonally

AdjustedTrendOriginal

Seasonally

AdjustedTrendOriginal

Seasonally

AdjustedTrend

UNDERUTILISATION RATEUNDEREMPLOYMENT RATEUNDEREMPLOYED TOTAL

UNDERUT IL IS IED PERSONS (AGED 15 YEARS AND OVER) (a) , by States and

Ter r i to ry —Augus t 201521


EF F E C T OF NE W SE A S O N A L L Y AD J U S T E D ES T I M A T E S ON TR E N D ES T I M A T E S

6.26.26.2August6.26.26.2July6.16.16.1June6.16.16.1May

2015

(2) 6.1 i.e.

falls by 2.20%

(1) 6.4 i.e.

rises by 2.20%

WHAT IF NEXT MONTH'S SEASONALLYADJUSTED ESTIMATE IS:

Trend as

published

Feb2015

Apr Jun Aug

%

5.6

5.8

6.0

6.2

6.4Published trend12

UN E M P L O Y M E N T RA T E

11 758.511 773.611 765.4August11 745.311 753.311 750.1July11 728.611 731.011 730.1June11 708.911 708.011 708.3May

2015

(2) 11 748.7 i.e.

falls by 0.23%

(1) 11 802.8 i.e.

rises by 0.23%

WHAT IF NEXT MONTH'S SEASONALLYADJUSTED ESTIMATE IS:

Trend as

published

Feb2015

Apr Jun Aug

'000

11575

11650

11725

11800

11875Published trend12

EM P L O Y M E N T

Each time new seasonally adjusted estimates become available, trend estimates are

revised. This revision is a combined result of the concurrent seasonal adjustment process

and the application of surrogates of the Henderson average to the seasonally adjusted

series (see paragraphs 28 to 37 of the Explanatory Notes).

The examples in the tables below show two illustrative scenarios and the consequent

revisions to previous trend estimates of employment and the unemployment rate. The

revisions in the scenarios are due to the use of surrogates of the Henderson average, as

the impact of revision of seasonally adjusted estimates can not be estimated in advance.

(1) The September seasonally adjusted estimate is higher than the August estimate by:

0.23% for employment

2.20% for the unemployment rate

(2) The September seasonally adjusted estimate is lower than the August estimate by:

0.23% for employment

2.20% for the unemployment rate

The percentage changes of 0.23% and 2.20% represent the average absolute monthly

percentage changes in employment and the unemployment rate respectively. Estimates

in the graphs have been calculated using unrounded estimates, and may be different

from, but more accurate than, rounded estimates depicted in the corresponding table.

TR E N D RE V I S I O N S


W H A T I F . . . ? RE V I S I O N S TO TR E N D ES T I M A T E S

3 The Labour Force Survey is based on a multi-stage area sample of private dwellings

(currently approximately 26,000 houses, flats, etc.) and a list sample of non-private

dwellings (hotels, motels, etc.), and covers approximately 0.32% of the civilian

population of Australia aged 15 years and over.

4 Information is obtained from the occupants of selected dwellings by specially trained

interviewers using computer-assisted interviewing, or self-completion online.

5 Households selected for the Labour Force Survey are interviewed each month for

eight months, with one-eighth of the sample being replaced each month. The first

interview is generally conducted face-to-face. Subsequent interviews are conducted by

telephone (if acceptable to the respondent).

6 From December 2012 to April 2013, the ABS conducted a trial of online electronic

data collection. Respondents in one rotation group (i.e. one-eighth of the survey sample)

were offered the option of self completing their labour force survey questionnaire online

instead of via a face-to-face or telephone interview. From May 2013, the ABS expanded

the offer of online electronic collection to 50% of each new incoming rotation group. For

more information see the article in the April 2013 issue of this publication. From

September 2013, online electronic collection has been offered to 100% of private

dwellings in each incoming rotation group. From April 2014, 100% of private dwellings

are being offered online electronic collection.

7 The interviews are generally conducted during the two weeks beginning on the

Sunday between the 5th and 11th of each month. The information obtained relates to

the week before the interview (i.e. the reference week). Each year, to deal with

operational difficulties involved with collecting and processing the Labour Force Survey

around the Christmas and New Year holiday period, interviews for December start four

weeks after November interviews start (i.e. between the 3rd and 9th December), and

January interviews start five weeks after December interviews start. As a result, January

interviewing may commence as early as the 7th or as late as the 13th, depending on the

year. Occasionally, circumstances that present significant operational difficulties for

survey collection can result in a change to the normal pattern for the start of

interviewing.

8 Estimates from the Labour Force Survey are usually published first in this publication

32 days after the commencement of interviews for that month, with the exception of

estimates for each December which are usually published 39 days after the

commencement of interviews.

LA B O U R FO R C E SU R V E Y

2 The conceptual framework used in Australia’s Labour Force Survey aligns closely with

the standards and guidelines set out in Resolutions of International Conferences of

Labour Statisticians. Descriptions of the underlying concepts and structure of Australia's

labour force statistics, and the sources and methods used in compiling the estimates, are

presented in Labour Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods (cat. no. 6102.0.55.001)

which is available on the ABS website <http://www.abs.gov.au>.

CO N C E P T S , SO U R C E S AN D

ME T H O D S

1 This publication contains estimates of the civilian labour force derived from the

Labour Force Survey component of the Monthly Population Survey. The full time series

for estimates from this publication are also available electronically. More detailed

estimates are released one week after this publication in various electronic formats – see

Labour Force, Australia, Detailed – Electronic Delivery (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001) and

Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly (cat. no. 6291.0.55.003).

I N T R O D U C T I O N


E X P L A N A T O R Y N O T E S

11 The Labour Force Survey estimates are calculated in such a way as to add to

independent estimates of the civilian population aged 15 years and over (population

benchmarks). These population benchmarks are based on the most recently released

estimates of Final, Revised and Preliminary quarterly Estimated Resident Population

(ERP). For information on the methodology used to produce the ERP see Australian

Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0). Since the most recently released ERP estimates

lag the current time period for Labour Force estimates by nine months, the Labour Force

population benchmarks are created by projecting forward three quarters past the most

recently released quarterly ERP estimates. The projection is based on the historical

pattern of each population component – births, deaths, interstate migration and net

overseas migration (NOM). Projected estimates of NOM are supplemented with other

data sources to better forecast population changes in the short-term. The main data

source is the forecasts published by the Department of Immigration & Border Protection

in the publication The Outlook for Net Overseas Migration.

12 Commencing in March 2010, the ERP series has been revised twice-yearly, in the

March and September quarter issues of Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no.

3101.0). This biannual revision cycle incorporates more up to date information available

for NOM. This updated information is included in the population benchmarks used in

creating the Labour Force estimates when they are rebenchmarked.

13 Every five years, the ERP series are revised to incorporate additional information

available from the latest Census of Population and Housing (Census). Labour Force

Survey population benchmarks, and the estimates, are revised following this five-yearly

revision in the ERP. The process of incorporating the revised population benchmarks is

referred to as 'rebasing'. From the January 2014 issue of this publication, labour force

estimates have been compiled using population benchmarks based on the results of the

2011 Census. Revisions were made to historical Labour Force estimates from June 2006

to December 2013. In addition, estimates from July 1991 to May 2006 were revised to

reflect population benchmarks based on ERP revised following the 2011 Census. The

next rebasing based on the Census will be following the release of the 2016 Census-based

ERP estimates, which will incorporate revisions back five years. For more information on

revised ERP estimates, refer to the June 2012 issue of Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0) released in December 2012.

14 In between Censuses, the ABS revises the Labour Force population benchmarks

using the latest ERP according to the paragraphs above. These were introduced in the

July 2010, November 2012 and April 2013 issues. The revisions planned for the October

2013, April 2014 and November 2014 issues were not implemented (see What's New in

the Labour Force in the September 2013 issue and Changes in this Issue in the October

2014 issue of this publication). From the February 2015 issue, rebenchmarking will be

undertaken quarterly in the February, May, August and November issues apart from May

2015. For more information, refer to the article Rebenchmarking of Labour Force Series

in the February 2015 issue of this publication.

PO P U L A T I O N BE N C H M A R K S

10 In the Labour Force Survey, coverage rules are applied which aim to ensure that

each person is associated with only one dwelling, and hence has only one chance of

selection. The coverage rules are necessarily a balance between theoretical and

operational considerations. Nevertheless, the chance of a person being enumerated at

two separate dwellings in the survey is considered to be negligible.

CO V E R A G E

9 The Labour Force Survey includes all persons aged 15 years and over except

members of the permanent defence forces, certain diplomatic personnel of overseas

governments customarily excluded from census and estimated population counts,

overseas residents in Australia, and members of non-Australian defence forces (and their

dependants) stationed in Australia.

SC O P E OF SU R V E Y


E X P L A N A T O R Y N O T E S continued

16 From April 1986, the definition of employed persons was changed to include

persons who worked without pay between 1 and 14 hours per week in a family business

or on a farm (i.e. contributing family workers). For further information, see

paragraphs 22 and 23 of the Explanatory Notes in the February 2003 issue of Labour

Force, Australia (cat. no. 6203.0).

17 The ABS introduced telephone interviewing into the Labour Force Survey in

August 1996. Implementation was phased in for each new sample group from

August 1996 to February 1997. During the period of implementation, the new method

produced different estimates than would have been obtained under the old

methodology. The effect dissipated over the final months of implementation and was no

longer discernible from February 1997. The estimates for February 1997 and onwards are

directly comparable to estimates for periods prior to August 1996. For further details, see

the feature article in the June 1997 issue of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6203.0).

18 From April 2001 the Labour Force Survey was conducted using a redesigned

questionnaire containing additional data items and some minor definitional changes.

The definition of unemployed persons was changed to include all persons who were

waiting to start work and were available to start in the reference week. This change was

introduced in February 2004, when historical unit record data were revised from

April 2001 to January 2004. This revision created a small trend break at April 2001 in

unemployed persons and unemployment rate series. For further details, see

Information Paper: Forthcoming Changes to Labour Force Statistics, 2003 (cat. no.

6292.0), released in December 2003. From July 2014 the Labour Force Survey

questionnaire was further redesigned and definitional changes made to active job search

steps and duration of job search. For further details, see the Glossary and Information

Paper: Forthcoming Changes to Labour Force Statistics, June 2014 (cat. no. 6292.0),

released in October 2014.

19 Core labour force series were revised in April 2001 for the period

April 1986 to March 2001 for the remaining definitional changes introduced with the

redesigned questionnaire, to reduce the impact of the changes on labour force series.

For further details, see Information Paper: Implementing the Redesigned Labour Force

Survey Questionnaire (cat. no. 6295.0) and the 2004 issue of Information Paper:

Questionnaires Used in the Labour Force Survey (cat. no. 6232.0).

20 In May 2007, an improved method of estimation, known as composite estimation,

was introduced into the Labour Force Survey. In introducing this change, the ABS

revised unit record data from April 2001 to April 2007 based on the new estimation

method. No change was identified in the trend breaks in the unemployed persons and

unemployment rate series which arose with the introduction of a redesigned survey form

in April 2001 (as noted above in paragraph 18). In January 2014 composite estimation

was applied to all estimates from July 1991 as part of the 2011 Census rebenchmarking.

CO M P A R A B I L I T Y OF SE R I E S

15 The estimation method used in the Labour Force Survey is Composite Estimation,

which was introduced in May 2007. In January 2014 composite estimation was applied to

all estimates from July 1991 as part of the 2011 Census rebenchmarking. Composite

Estimation combines data collected in the previous six months with current month's data

to produce the current month's estimates, thereby exploiting the high correlation

between overlapping samples across months in the Labour Force Survey. The Composite

Estimator combines the previous and current months' data by applying different factors

according to length of time in the survey. After these factors are applied, the seven

months of data are weighted to align with current month population benchmarks. For

details see Information Paper: Forthcoming Changes to Labour Force Statistics, 2007

(cat. no. 6292.0).

ES T I M A T I O N ME T H O D



28 Any original time series can be thought of as a combination of three broad and

distinctly different types of behaviour, each representing the impact of certain types of

real world events on the information being collected: systematic calendar related events,

short-term irregular fluctuations and long-term cyclical behaviour. A multiplicative

decomposition model is applied in the seasonal adjustment of Labour Force Time Series,

where the original time series (O) is considered as the product of the underlying trend

SE A S O N A L AD J U S T M E N T AN D

TR E N D ES T I M A T I O N

25 Two types of error are possible in an estimate based on a sample survey: sampling

error and non-sampling error.

26 Sampling error occurs because a sample, rather than the entire population, is

surveyed. One measure of the likely difference resulting from not including all dwellings

in the survey is given by the standard error. There are about two chances in three that a

sample estimate will differ by less than one standard error from the figure that would

have been obtained if all dwellings had been included in the survey, and about nineteen

chances in twenty that the difference will be less than two standard errors. Standard

errors of key estimates for the latest month and of movements since the previous month

of these estimates are shown in the standard errors section of this publication. Standard

errors for other estimates and other movements may be calculated by using the

spreadsheet contained in Labour Force Survey Standard Errors, Data Cube

(cat. no. 6298.0.55.001) which is available free of charge on the ABS website

<http://www.abs.gov.au>.

27 Non-sampling error arises from inaccuracies in collecting, recording and processing

the data. Every effort is made to minimise reporting error by the careful design of

questionnaires, intensive training and supervision of interviewers, and efficient data

processing procedures. Non-sampling error also arises because information cannot be

obtained from all persons selected in the survey. The Labour Force Survey receives a

high level of co-operation from individuals in selected dwellings, with the average

response rate over the last year being 94%. See Glossary for definition of response rate.

RE L I A B I L I T Y OF ES T I M A T E S

22 The current Labour Force Survey sample has been selected using information

collected in the 2011 Census of Population and Housing.

23 The sample was introduced over four months – May 2013 to August 2013. Two

rotation groups (i.e. one-quarter of the survey sample) were introduced each month.

During the sample phase-in, the increased sample rotation had an impact on the quality

of estimates. Movement standard errors increased by approximately 10%, representing,

for example, an increase on the standard error on the Australian monthly change in

employment for May 2013 from 27,000 to approximately 29,700.

24 Due to the use of composite estimation, there was a marginal impact on the quality

of level estimates. Gross Flows analysis were impacted by the sample phase-in with

between 60% to 70% of the sample available for matching between the current and

previous months instead of the usual 80%. After full transition to the new sample, the

quality of level and movement estimates is at the level designed for under the 2011

sample design and are of similar quality as the 2006 sample design. For further details,

see Information Paper: Labour Force Survey Sample Design (cat. no. 6269.0) released

on 30 May 2013.

LA B O U R FO R C E SU R V E Y

SA M P L E

For further details, see Information Paper: Forthcoming Changes to Labour Force

Statistics, 2007 (cat. no. 6292.0).

21 As one of a range of ABS savings initiatives for the 2008–09 financial year, there was

a 24% reduction in the LFS sample size for the period July 2008 to August 2009, relative

to the June 2008 sample size. The sample reduction was reversed from September 2009

to December 2009, with December 2009 estimates being the first produced under the

fully reinstated sample.

CO M P A R A B I L I T Y OF SE R I E S

continued



(T), a systematic calendar related or seasonal component (S) and an irregular

component (I). This can be expressed as O = T*S*I. The contributions of each of these

behaviours varies from series to series, as well as throughout time for a given series,

depending on the nature of the interactions of real world events and the data of interest.

29 Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique that attempts to measure and remove

the effects of systematic calendar related patterns including seasonal variation to reveal

how a series changes from period to period. Seasonal adjustment does not aim to

remove the irregular or non-seasonal influences which may be present in any particular

month. This means that month-to-month movements of the seasonally adjusted

estimates may not be reliable indicators of trend behaviour.

30 The Labour Force Survey uses the concurrent seasonal adjustment method to

derive seasonal factors. Concurrent seasonal adjustment uses data up to the current

month to estimate seasonal factors for the current and all previous months. This process

can result in revisions each month to estimates for earlier periods. However, in most

instances, the only noticeable revisions will be to the seasonally adjusted estimates for

the previous month and one year prior to the current month. From the March 2015 issue

of this publication, the effects of supplementary surveys are removed prior to the

estimation of seasonal factors for key Labour Force series from February 1978 onwards.

While this methodology has addressed short term volatility in the seasonally adjusted

series arising from changes to the timing and content of the supplementary survey

program, in general prior corrections and resulting changed seasonal patterns can be

identified and measured to a more reliable degree of certainty after three successive

observations (in this case after three years). For further details refer to the October and

December 2014 issues of this publication.

31 The revision properties of the seasonally adjusted and trend estimates can be

improved by the use of Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) modelling.

ARIMA modelling relies on the characteristics of the series being analysed to project

future period data. The projected values are temporary, intermediate values, that are

only used internally to improve the estimation of the seasonal factors. The projected data

do not affect the original estimates and are discarded at the end of the seasonal

adjustment process. The Labour Force Survey uses an ARIMA model for the majority of

the individual time series. The ARIMA model is assessed as part of the annual reanalysis.

For further details, see the feature article in the October 2004 issue of Australian

Economic Indicators (cat. no. 1350.0).

32 Seasonal adjustment is able to remove the effect of events which occur at the same

time in the survey every year. However, there are some events, like holidays, which are

not always at the same time in the survey cycle or which are not at the same time across

Australia. The effects of these types of events on Labour Force Survey estimates cannot in

all cases be removed, because the pattern of their effects cannot be determined.

However, two events for which adjustment is made in the seasonally adjusted series are

the January interview start date and the timing of Easter. For further details, see

Information Paper: Forthcoming Changes to Labour Force Statistics (cat. no. 6292.0)

released in December 2003.

33 While seasonal factors for the complete time series are estimated each month, they

will continue to be reviewed annually at a more detailed level to take into account each

additional year's original data. This annual review will not normally result in significant

changes to published estimates. The review is usually conducted early each year with the

results released in this publication shortly thereafter.


TR E N D ES T I M A T I O N continued



42 Estimates have been rounded and discrepancies may occur between sums of the

component items and totals. Estimates of movement shown in this publication are

obtained by taking the difference of unrounded estimates. The movement estimate is

then rounded. Where a discrepancy occurs between the reported movement and the

difference of the rounded estimates, the reported movement will be more accurate.

EF F E C T S OF RO U N D I N G

41 As well as the statistics included in this and related publications, the ABS may have

other relevant data available. Inquiries should be made to the Labour Force contact

officer on (02) 6252 6525, email [email protected] or to any ABS office.

DA T A AV A I L A B L E ON

RE Q U E S T

38 Users may also wish to refer to the following publications:

Labour Force Survey Standard Products and Data Item Guide (cat.no. 6103.0).

This publication is a reference guide for users of Labour Force Survey data standard

products.

Australian Labour Market Statistics (cat. no. 6105.0). This publication presents key

indicators of the labour market, articles on a range of labour market issues, and

information about the latest developments in the labour statistics program. For

further information about this publication, please contact Labour Market Statistics

on (02) 6252 7206.

39 ABS information about the labour market can be found on the Topics @ a Glance

page on the ABS website <http://www.abs.gov.au>.

40 Information about current publications and other products released by the ABS is

available from the statistics page on the ABS website. The ABS also issues a daily release

advice on the website, Upcoming Product Releases, which details products to be

released in the week ahead.

RE L A T E D PU B L I C A T I O N S

34 The smoothing of seasonally adjusted series to produce 'trend' series reduces the

impact of the irregular component of the seasonally adjusted series. These trend

estimates are derived by applying a 13-term Henderson-weighted moving average to all

months except the last six. The last six monthly trend estimates are obtained by applying

surrogates of the Henderson average to the seasonally adjusted series. Trend estimates

are used to analyse the underlying behaviour of a series over time.

35 While this smoothing technique enables estimates to be produced for the latest

month, it does result in revisions in addition to those caused by the revision of

seasonally adjusted estimates. Generally, revisions due to the use of surrogates of the

Henderson average become smaller, and after three months have a negligible impact on

the series.

36 Trend estimates are published for the Northern Territory in table 10 and for the

Australian Capital Territory in table 11. Unadjusted series for the two Territories have

shown, historically, a high degree of variability, which can lead to considerable revisions

to the seasonally adjusted estimates each month when seasonal factors are estimated.

For this reason, seasonally adjusted estimates are not currently published for the two

Territories. In addition, caution should be exercised in the interpretation of trend

estimates for the two Territories, particularly for the three most recent months, where

revisions may be relatively large.

37 For further information, see A Guide to Interpreting Time Series – Monitoring

Trends (cat. no. 1349.0) or contact the Assistant Director, Time Series Analysis on

(02) 6252 6345 or email [email protected].


TR E N D ES T I M A T I O N continued



unemployment rateUnemp. rate Technical and Further EducationTAFE

seasonally adjustedSeas adj. percentage pointspts

part timep/t participation ratePart. rate

not in the Labour ForceNILF Labour Force SurveyLFS

full timef/t employment to population ratioEmp. to pop. ratio

estimated resident populationERP civilian populationCiv. pop. catalogue numbercat. no.

computer assisted interviewingCAI Australian Bureau of StatisticsABS

percentage% thousands'000

DefinitionSymbol

43 SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONSSY M B O L S AN D

AB B R E V I A T I O N S



0.30.40.51.51.01.20.71.01.00.50.5ptsUnemployment to population ratio –

looking for f/t work

0.81.11.03.52.03.02.02.11.71.11.5ptsParticipation rate

1.01.31.55.42.23.02.22.92.52.31.7ptsTotal1.11.41.65.61.93.52.52.82.42.41.9ptsLooking for p/t work2.33.92.715.03.55.74.37.95.56.43.5ptsLooking for f/t work

Unemployment rate15.410.111.01.40.71.04.42.98.26.39.6'000Not in labour force11.18.17.90.80.31.03.22.25.24.17.2'000Labour force

7.75.35.40.60.20.61.91.74.43.94.1'000Total6.04.53.90.50.10.51.61.32.93.23.2'000Looking for p/t work4.72.83.80.30.20.41.11.03.12.02.5'000Looking for f/t work

Unemployed

10.17.57.20.70.30.93.02.04.73.66.6'000Total8.97.06.10.70.20.72.51.84.03.45.7'000Part time5.43.74.70.40.20.51.81.02.51.83.9'000Full time

EmployedAged 15–19 years





Unemployed


EmployedAged 15 years and over

PersonsFemalesMales

AUSTRALIA

ACTNTTas.WASAQldVic.NSW

To illustrate, let us say the published level estimate for employed persons aged

15–19 years is 700,000 and the associated standard error is 9,000. The standard error is

then used to interpret the level estimate of 700,000. For instance, the standard error of

9,000 indicates that:

There are approximately two chances in three that the real value falls within the

range 691,000 to 709,000 (700,000 + or – 9,000)

There are approximately nineteen chances in twenty that the real value falls within

the range 682,000 to 718,000 (700,000 + or – 18,000).

The real value in this case is the result we would obtain if we could enumerate the total

population.

The following table shows the standard errors for this month's level estimates.

LEVEL ESTIMATES

The estimates in this publication are based on information gained from the occupants of

a sample survey of dwellings. Because the entire population is not surveyed, the

published original, seasonally adjusted and trend estimates are subject to sampling error.

The most common way of quantifying such sampling error is to calculate the standard

error for the published estimate or statistic. For more information, see paragraphs 25 to

27 of the Explanatory Notes.

ST A N D A R D ER R O R S


S T A N D A R D E R R O R S

0.40.40.61.60.81.21.01.01.00.70.6ptsUnemployment to population ratio –

looking for f/t work





Unemployed


EmployedAged 15–19 years





Unemployed


EmployedAged 15 years and over

PersonsFemalesMales

AUSTRALIA

ACTNTTas.WASAQldVic.NSW

The following example illustrates how to use the standard error to interpret a movement

estimate. Let us say that one month the published level estimate for females employed

part-time in Australia is 1,890,000; the next month the published level estimate is

1,900,000 and the associated standard error for the movement estimate is 11,900. The

standard error is then used to interpret the published movement estimate of 10,000. For

instance, the standard error of 11,900 indicates that:

There are approximately two chances in three that the real movement between the

two months falls within the range – 1,900 to 21,900 (10,000 + or – 11,900)

There are approximately nineteen chances in twenty that the real movement falls

within the range – 13,800 to 33,800 (10,000 + or – 23,800).

The following table shows the standard errors for this month's movement estimates.

MOVEMENT ESTIMATES


S T A N D A R D E R R O R S continued

The estimation methodology used in the Labour Force Survey. Composite Estimationuses sample responses from nearby months as well as from the reference month toderive estimates for the reference month. This approach achieves gains in efficiency byexploiting the high similarity between the responses provided by the same respondent inprevious months. For details see Information Paper: Forthcoming Changes to LabourForce Statistics, 2007 (cat. no. 6292.0).

Composite Estimation

All usual residents of Australia aged 15 years and over except members of the permanentdefence forces, certain diplomatic personnel of overseas governments customarilyexcluded from census and estimated population counts, overseas residents in Australia,and members of non-Australian defence forces (and their dependants) stationed inAustralia.

Civilian population aged 15years and over

Persons aged 15-24 years enrolled full time at a TAFE college, university, or othereducational institution in the reference week, except those persons aged 15-19 yearswho were still attending school.

Attending tertiary educationalinstitution full time

Persons aged 15-19 years enrolled at secondary or high school in the reference week.Attending school

Persons aged 15-24 years enrolled at secondary or high school or enrolled as a full timestudent at a Technical and Further Education (TAFE) college, university, or othereducational institution in the reference week.

Attending full time education

Actual hours of work refers to a specified reference period (e.g. a week) and includes:hours actually worked during normal periods of work;time spent in addition to hours worked during normal periods of work (includingovertime);time spent at the place of work on activities such as the preparation of the workplace,repairs and maintenance, preparation and cleaning of tools, and the preparation ofreceipts, time sheets and reports;time spent at the place of work waiting or standing by due to machinery or processbreakdown, accident, lack of supplies, power or internet access, etc;time corresponding to short rest periods (resting time) including tea and coffeebreaks or prayer breaks;travel time connected to work (excluding commuting time); andtraining and skills enhancement related to the job or employer.

Excluded are:hours paid for but not worked, such as paid annual leave, public holidays or paid sickleave;meal breaks (e.g. lunch breaks);paid and unpaid time 'on call';time spent on travel to and from work when no productive activity for the job isperformed (e.g. commuting time); andtime off during working hours to attend outside educational activities, even if it isauthorised, e.g. those not connected to the job or employer.

For multiple job holders the LFS collects a separate measure of actual hours worked inmain job and in all jobs.

Actual hours of work

Actively looked for work includes:written, telephoned or applied to an employer for work;had an interview with an employer for work;answered an advertisement for a job;checked or registered with a Job Services Australia provider or any other employmentagency;taken steps to purchase or start your own business;advertised or tendered for work; andcontacted friends or relatives in order to obtain work.

Actively looked for work


G L O S S A R Y

For any group, persons who were employed or unemployed, as defined.Labour force

The matching of respondents who report in consecutive months enables analysis of thetransition of individuals between the different labour force status classifications, referredto as the matched sample. The transition counts between the different labour forcestatus classifications from one point in time to the next are commonly referred to asgross flows.

The figures presented in gross flows are presented in original terms only and do notalign with published labour force estimates. The gross flows figures are derived from thematched sample between consecutive months, which after taking account of the samplerotation and varying non-response in each month is approximately 80 percent of thesample.

Caution should be exercised when analysing these gross flows data due to:the figures presented sum to approximately 80 percent of the population values as thegross flows data are based on the matched sample only;there is no adjustment applied to account for changes due to seasonal patterns(referred to commonly as seasonal adjustment); andthe estimates of relative sizes of each transition class are subject to bias due to thematched sample being a non-representative sample.

Gross flows

Flow estimates are a measure of activity over a given period. For example, monthly hoursworked in all jobs is a measure of the total number of hours worked in a calendar month.

Flow estimates

Estimated resident population (ERP), is Australia's official measure of the population ofAustralia and is based on the concept of usual residence. It refers to all people,regardless of nationality, citizenship or legal status, who usually live in Australia, with theexception of foreign diplomatic personnel and their families. It includes usual residentswho are overseas for fewer than 12 months. It excludes overseas visitors who are inAustralia for fewer than 12 months. Refer to Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no.3101.0).

Estimated resident population(ERP)

Includes employed persons who usually worked less than 35 hours a week (in all jobs)and either did so during the reference week, or were not at work in the reference week.

Employment to population ratio

For any group, the number of employed persons expressed as a percentage of thecivilian population in the same group.

Employed part-time

Includes employed persons who usually worked 35 hours or more a week (in all jobs)and those who, although usually working less than 35 hours a week, worked 35 hours ormore during the reference week.

Employed full-time

All persons aged 15 years and over who met one of the following criteria during thereference week:

Worked for one hour or more for pay, profit, commission or payment in kind, in a jobor business or on a farm (employees and owner managers of incorporated orunincorporated enterprises).Worked for one hour or more without pay in a family business or on a farm(contributing family workers).Were employees who had a job but were not at work and were:

away from work for less than four weeks up to the end of the reference week; or

away from work for more than four weeks up to the end of the reference week and

received pay for some or all of the four week period to the end of the reference

week; or

away from work as a standard work or shift arrangement; or

on strike or locked out; or

on workers' compensation and expected to return to their job.

Were owner managers who had a job, business or farm, but were not at work.

Employed


G L O S S A R Y continued

Stock estimates are a measure of certain attributes at a point in time and can be thoughtof as stocktakes. For example, the total number of employed persons is an account ofthe number of people who were considered employed in the Labour Force Surveyreference week.

Stock estimates

A time series of estimates with the estimated effects of normal seasonal variationremoved. See Explanatory Notes for more detail.

Seasonally adjusted series

The number of fully responding dwellings expressed as a percentage of the total numberof dwellings excluding sample loss. Examples of sample loss include: dwellings where allpersons are out of scope and/or coverage; vacant dwellings; dwellings underconstruction; dwellings converted to non-dwellings; derelict dwellings; and demolisheddwellings.

Response rate

Persons who were not in the categories employed or unemployed, as defined. Theyinclude people who undertook unpaid household duties or other voluntary work only,were retired, voluntarily inactive and those permanently unable to work.

Participation rate

For any group, the labour force expressed as a percentage of the civilian population aged15 years and over in the same group.

Not in labour force

Monthly hours worked in all jobs measures the total number of actual hours worked byemployed persons in a calendar month. It differs from the actual hours worked estimates(and the usual hours worked estimates) since these refer only to the hours worked inthe reference week.

The methodology used to produce monthly hours worked in all jobs means that theseare synthetic estimates. Seasonally adjusted and trend estimates of monthly hoursworked in all jobs are available for the period July 1978 onwards.

Further information on the methodology used to produce the monthly hours worked inall jobs estimates is available on the ABS website in Information Paper: Expansion ofHours Worked Estimates from the Labour Force Survey (cat. no. 6290.0.55.001).

Actual and usual hours worked cannot be aggregated across time to produce eitherquarterly or annual estimates as they relate to only a single week in the month. Incontrast, monthly hours worked in all jobs estimates are a true monthly measure, andmay be aggregated across time to produce both quarterly and annual estimates.

Monthly hours worked in alljobs

The non-market sector is an industry grouping comprising the following industries:Education and training; Public administration & safety; and Health care and socialassistance. Refer to Australian National Accounts: Concepts, Sources and Methods (cat.no. 5216.0).

Non-market Sector

The market sector is an industry grouping comprising the following industries:Agriculture, forestry and fishing; Mining; Manufacturing; Electricity, gas, water and wasteservices; Construction; Wholesale trade; Retail trade; Accommodation and food services;Transport, postal and warehousing; Information media and telecommunications; Financeand insurance services; Rental, hiring and real estate services; Professional, scientific andtechnical services; Administrative and support services; Arts and recreation services; andOther services. Refer to Australian National Accounts: Concepts, Sources and Methods (cat. no. 5216.0).

Market sector

The number of long-term unemployed persons, expressed as a percentage of the totalunemployed population.

Long-term unemploymentratio

The number of persons unemployed for 52 weeks or over.Long-term unemployed

A classification of the civilian population aged 15 years and over into employed,unemployed or not in the labour force, as defined. The definitions conform closely tothe international standard definitions adopted by the International Conferences ofLabour Statisticians.

Labour force status



Usual hours of work refers to a typical period rather than the hours worked in a specifiedreference period. The concept of usual hours applies both to persons at work and topersons temporarily absent from work, and is defined as the hours worked during atypical week or day. Actual hours worked (for a specific reference period) may differfrom usual hours worked due to illness, vacation, strike, overtime work, a change of job,or similar reasons.

Usual hours of work

For any group, the number of unemployed persons expressed as a percentage of thelabour force in the same group.

Unemployment rate

Unemployed persons who:actively looked for part time work only; orwere waiting to start a new part time job.

Unemployed looked for onlypart time work

Unemployed persons who:actively looked for full time work; orwere waiting to start a new full time job.

Unemployed looked for fulltime work

Persons aged 15 years and over who were not employed during the reference week, and:had actively looked for full time or part time work at any time in the four weeks up tothe end of the reference week and were available for work in the reference week; orwere waiting to start a new job within four weeks from the end of the reference weekand could have started in the reference week if the job had been available then.

Unemployed

The sum of the number of persons unemployed and the number of persons inunderemployment, expressed as a proportion of the labour force.

Underutilisation rate

Employed persons aged 15 years and over who want, and are available for, more hours ofwork than they currently have. They comprise:

persons employed part time who want to work more hours and are available to startwork with more hours, either in the reference week or in the four weeks subsequentto the survey; orpersons employed full time who worked part time hours in the reference week foreconomic reasons (such as being stood down or insufficient work being available). Itis assumed that these people wanted to work full time in the reference week andwould have been available to do so.

Underemployed workers

The number of underemployed workers expressed as a percentage of total employedpersons.

Underemployment ratio(proportion of employed)

The number of underemployed workers expressed as a percentage of the labour force.Underemployment rate(proportion of labour force)

A smoothed seasonally adjusted series of estimates. See Explanatory Notes for moredetail.

Trend series



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© Commonwealth of Australia 2015Produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

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AUGUST 2015 LABOUR FORCE...Employed persons ('000) 11 750.1 11 765.4 15.3 2.0 % Trend Aug 14 to Aug...

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