Employment in Australia increased by 39,500 to a new record of 14.84 million in August 2026, reversing a marginally revised 15,900 decline in the previous month and easily exceeding market expectations for a 20,000 gain. Part-time employment surged 45,800 to 4.64 million while full-time employment declined by 6,300 to 10.19 million. The employment-to-population ratio edged up to 63.9% from 63.8%, while the participation rate was up to 67.1% from 66.9% in July. Compared with a year earlier, total employment expanded by 238,100, or 1.6%.