Employment in Australia dropped by 39,300 to 14.78 million in September 2026, reversing a downwardly revised 29,300 increase in the previous month and missing market expectations for a 20,000 gain. Part-time employment decreased by 73,700 to 4,550,200 people while full-time employment increased by 34,400 to 10,232,400. The employment-to-population ratio fell to 63.6% from 63.9% in August, and the participation rate eased to 66.8% from 67.0%. Compared with a year earlier, total employment expanded by 168,300, or 1.2%.