JANUARY 2012 LABOUR FORCE · Jan 11 to Jan 12 Dec 11 to Dec 2011 Jan 2012 Jan 12 K E Y F I G U R E S TREND ESTIMATES (MONTHLY CHANGE)! Employment increased to 11,448,500.! Unemployment

pts–0.6 pts0.165.365.2Participation rate (%)

pts0.0 pts–0.15.15.2Unemployment rate (%)

%1.0–15.3614.2629.5Unemployed persons ('000)

%0.346.311 463.911 417.5Employed persons ('000)

Seasonally Adjusted

pts–0.5 pts–0.165.365.3Participation rate (%)

pts0.1 pts0.05.25.2Unemployment rate (%)

%3.3–3.8623.7627.5Unemployed persons ('000)

%0.21.711 448.511 446.8Employed persons ('000)

Trend

Jan 11 toJan 12

Dec 11 toJan 12Jan 2012Dec 2011

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 11,448,500.

! Unemployment decreased to 623,700.

! Unemployment rate steady at 5.2%.

! Participation rate at 65.3%.

! Aggregate monthly hours worked decreased to 1,607.0 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 46,300 (0.4%) to 11,463,900. Full-time employment increased

12,300 persons to 8,063,100 and part-time employment increased 34,000 persons to

3,400,800.

! Unemployment decreased 15,300 (2.4%) to 614,200. The number of persons looking for

part-time work decreased 3,000 to 175,200 and the number of persons looking for

full-time work decreased 12,300 to 439,000.

! The unemployment rate decreased 0.1 pts to 5.1%. The male unemployment rate

decreased 0.1 pts to 4.9% and the female unemployment rate decreased 0.2 pts to 5.3%.

! The participation rate increased 0.1 pts to 65.3%.

! Aggregate monthly hours worked decreased 23.1 million hours to 1,593.9 million hours.

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 6 F E B 2 0 1 2

LABOUR FORCE A U S T R A L I A

6202.0J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2

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

Jan2011

Apr Jul Oct Jan2012

'000

11200

11300

11400

11500

11600TrendSeas adj.

Unemployment Rate

Jan2011

Apr Jul Oct Jan2012

%

4.8

5.0

5.2

5.4

5.6

5.8TrendSeas adj.

I N Q U I R I E S

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

9 August 2012July 2012

12 July 2012June 2012

7 June 2012May 2012

10 May 2012April 2012

12 April 2012March 2012

8 March 2012February 2012

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

B r i a n P i n k

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

0.5 ptsto–0.3 pts0.1 ptsParticipation rate0.1 ptsto–0.3 pts–0.1 ptsUnemployment rate16 900to–47 500–15 300Total Unemployment

101 300to–8 70046 300Total Employment

95% Confidence interval

Monthly

change

MOVEMENTS IN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SERIES BETWEEN DECEMBER2011 AND JANUARY 2012

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

the movements derived from them are subject to sampling variability. Standard errors

give a measure of sampling variability (see pages 34 and 35). 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 monthly change shown on the front cover have been calculated using

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

movements obtained from the rounded estimates. The graphs on the front cover also

depict unrounded estimates.

RO U N D I N G

Usually in January, estimates are published 32 days after the commencement of

interviews. This month, estimates are published 39 days after the commencement of

interviews due to operational issues. There has been no change to the standard pattern

of interviewing which started on the 8th of January for a reference period, 1st of January

to the 14th of January.

CH A N G E S TH I S MO N T H

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

N O T E S

An alternative measure that can be more revealing is the Employment to Population

ratio. This ratio shows the number of people that are employed as a percentage of the

civilian population aged 15 years and over. This measure removes population growth as a

confounding factor when interpreting the employment estimates. In doing so, it enables

a fair comparison of employment rates at different periods of time.

EM P L O Y M E N T TO

PO P U L A T I O N RA T I O

Jan1988

Jan1992

Jan1996

Jan2000

Jan2004

Jan2008

Jan2012

no.

7000

8000

9000

10000

11000

12000

TOTAL EMPLOYMENT LEVEL ESTIMATE ( '000) (TREND)

When used in isolation, the employment level estimates, or employment 'head-count',

may not reveal any striking dynamics in the labour market; the trend generally increases

at a steady rate (see graph below). This is mainly because the number of people that are

employed generally increases over time at a similar rate to population growth.

Conceptually, this makes sense: as the population grows, so do the number of people

who can and do work, as does the number of jobs required to support the increased

population.

LE V E L ES T I M A T E S

Each month the ABS collects data on Labour Force characteristics from about 30,000

households, which roughly equates to 60,000 people. These people live in a broad range

of areas and have diverse backgrounds and are considered to be a good representation

of the Australian population. From this information, the ABS produces a wide variety of

statistics that paints a picture of the labour market. One of the statistics that attracts a lot

of attention each month is the estimate for the number of people who are employed.

OV E R V I E W

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

E M P L O Y M E N T L E V E L E S T I M A T E S V E R S U S E M P L O Y M E N T T OP O P U L A T I O N E X P L A I N E D

1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011

%

54

56

58

60

62

64

EMPLOYMENT GROWTH, Average rat io est imates

A different method of analysis that removes the effect of population growth is to

compare average employment to population ratios for each year. The graph above

presents annual comparisons of average employment to population ratios. In 2011, the

employment to population ratio (62.2%) was actually 6.1 percentage points higher than

the low in 1992 (see below). The ratio in 2011 is the third highest rate of employment in

the last 30 years, higher than 2010 and 2009 rates, which were 62.1% and 61.8%

respectively. This analysis provides an alternative comparison of employment between

years, as the influence of change in the underlying population in each year is removed.

1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011

'000

–200

0

200

400

EMPLOYMENT GROWTH, Cumula t i ve month- to -month seasona l l yadjus ted change in leve l est imates

Recent reports have compared the annual growth in seasonally adjusted employment

level estimates and have suggested 2011 is the year with the lowest employment growth

since 1992 (see below). This neglects consideration that the growth in population

estimates for 2011 was also the lowest in over 10 years. It is likely that a large portion of

the growth in employment levels in the recent years prior to 2011 has been due to

higher levels of population growth.

AN N U A L EM P L O Y M E N T


E M P L O Y M E N T L E V E L E S T I M A T E S V E R S U S E M P L O Y M E N T T OP O P U L A T I O N E X P L A I N E D continued

Jan1988

Jan1992

Jan1996

Jan2000

Jan2004

Jan2008

Jan2012

%

54

56

58

60

62

64

TOTAL EMPLOYMENT TO POULAT ION RATIO (%) (TREND)

In the monthly series, the number of people who were employed, as percentage of the

population, increased from 57.4% in January 1988 to 59.7% in May 1990. It then

decreased to 55.6% in February 1993 during the recession of the early 1990s, after which

it increased to 58.4% in July 1995. The employment to population ratio generally

increased to 62.8% in May 2008 when it fell to 61.6% in August 2009 during the 2008-09

financial crisis. It then increased to 62.5% in January 2011 and has decreased to 61.9% in

January 2012.

MO N T H L Y EM P L O Y M E N T


E M P L O Y M E N T L E V E L E S T I M A T E S V E R S U S E M P L O Y M E N T T OP O P U L A T I O N E X P L A I N E D continued

65.35.25.312 072.2623.7448.211 448.53 395.18 053.4January2012

65.35.25.312 074.3627.5451.511 446.83 397.78 049.1December65.45.25.312 075.5629.9453.411 445.63 398.68 047.1November65.55.25.312 075.7631.5454.111 444.23 398.98 045.3October65.55.25.312 073.0630.7452.211 442.43 398.48 043.9September65.65.25.312 066.0625.9447.111 440.13 397.48 042.6August65.65.15.212 055.5617.4439.111 438.23 393.68 044.6July65.65.05.112 044.6608.0430.411 436.63 387.38 049.3June65.65.05.012 035.6600.3423.311 435.33 381.08 054.2May65.64.94.912 030.8595.4419.011 435.33 376.68 058.7April65.74.94.912 030.0594.8418.311 435.23 374.98 060.3March65.85.05.012 031.6598.6420.511 433.03 375.78 057.2February65.85.05.012 030.6604.0423.611 426.73 376.68 050.1January

201165.45.45.611 717.5635.0462.311 082.53 329.87 752.7January 201065.55.05.011 493.4574.9407.610 918.43 147.77 770.8January 2009

PE R S O N S

58.75.46.25 506.0294.6187.05 211.42 382.12 829.4January2012


201158.65.46.25 321.0284.7180.55 036.32 317.02 719.3January 201058.85.05.55 232.3262.7159.24 969.62 235.92 733.7January 2009

FE M A L E S

72.05.04.86 566.1329.1261.26 237.11 013.05 224.0January2012


201172.35.55.36 396.6350.3281.86 046.31 012.85 033.5January 201072.45.04.76 261.0312.2248.45 948.8911.75 037.1January 2009

MA L E S

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

Total

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Part

time

Full

time

Participation

rate

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE

Labour force

UNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER) : Trend1


65.35.15.212 078.1614.2439.011 463.93 400.88 063.1January2012


201165.45.35.511 718.0619.2448.611 098.83 342.97 755.9January 201065.44.94.911 472.6566.8399.210 905.93 100.37 805.6January 2009

PE R S O N S

58.85.36.05 511.7290.5180.15 221.22 392.82 828.4January2012


201158.65.36.35 326.5284.5184.05 042.02 315.02 727.0January 201058.74.85.25 223.5251.3150.34 972.22 207.72 764.5January 2009

FE M A L E S

72.04.94.76 566.5323.8258.96 242.71 008.05 234.6January2012

71.95.04.76 555.3326.8258.36 228.41 010.05 218.4December72.25.14.96 572.4337.9265.46 234.51 029.25 205.3November72.35.25.06 569.6340.0273.36 229.61 002.75 226.9October72.25.25.06 553.8339.6271.56 214.21 014.25 200.0September72.35.35.16 559.6346.5277.46 213.11 005.75 207.3August72.25.04.76 549.6324.4257.96 225.31 012.45 212.9July72.24.74.56 538.4307.3247.66 231.1998.95 232.2June72.24.64.46 539.5300.0240.86 239.51 015.55 224.0May72.34.84.56 536.0312.0244.06 224.0997.65 226.4April72.64.64.46 556.2301.2239.66 255.0996.45 258.6March72.64.94.56 554.5318.8249.96 235.7988.25 247.5February72.84.74.66 559.7310.8249.46 248.91 041.45 207.6January

201172.35.25.06 391.5334.7264.66 056.81 027.95 028.9January 201072.35.04.76 249.1315.5248.95 933.7892.65 041.1January 2009

MA L E S

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

Total

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Part

time

Full

time

Participation

rate

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE

Labour force

UNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER) : Seasona l l y Adjus ted2


64.85.55.718 499.96 504.511 995.4655.4481.811 340.03 296.88 043.2January2012

65.85.05.118 481.46 314.912 166.5613.5435.811 553.03 380.88 172.1December65.24.95.018 460.46 432.412 028.0589.8427.311 438.33 401.08 037.3November65.55.05.218 439.36 361.512 077.8599.8443.111 478.03 455.38 022.6October66.05.25.218 418.36 257.312 161.0633.4442.811 527.53 376.18 151.4September65.05.15.218 402.66 448.211 954.4609.7432.811 344.73 392.77 952.0August65.44.84.818 386.76 364.112 022.6576.0408.511 446.63 387.28 059.4July65.54.84.918 370.96 345.612 025.4579.2415.311 446.23 426.08 020.2June65.65.05.118 351.36 321.412 030.0604.2433.511 425.83 440.37 985.5May65.65.05.018 331.56 314.912 016.6601.1425.011 415.43 413.18 002.3April66.05.35.118 311.86 222.812 089.0637.2434.511 451.93 390.38 061.5March66.05.65.418 292.96 223.612 069.3680.7466.211 388.63 284.58 104.0February65.45.45.618 273.76 314.911 958.8649.1470.611 309.73 302.28 007.6January

201165.05.76.017 926.96 271.611 655.4666.7498.110 988.63 236.47 752.3January 201065.15.45.417 540.16 119.911 420.1611.9446.910 808.32 996.77 811.6January 2009

PE R S O N S

58.05.66.69 378.83 939.05 439.8305.6199.35 134.22 316.52 817.6January2012

59.25.46.39 369.33 818.25 551.1301.3194.55 249.82 364.12 885.7December58.75.05.99 357.93 862.55 495.3276.0178.25 219.32 385.62 833.7November59.04.95.99 346.33 830.95 515.5269.0177.05 246.42 435.62 810.9October59.75.35.79 334.93 763.35 571.6293.3176.85 278.32 372.12 906.1September58.55.15.79 326.23 866.95 459.3280.0169.35 179.42 392.82 786.5August58.95.05.59 317.53 829.95 487.6273.8164.25 213.92 370.32 843.5July59.15.15.69 308.83 804.65 504.2279.3167.25 224.92 404.42 820.5June59.15.46.19 298.63 807.65 491.1294.6182.55 196.42 408.12 788.3May59.05.26.09 288.43 812.55 475.8283.3177.45 192.52 404.42 788.1April59.55.86.29 278.23 756.05 522.3320.5187.85 201.72 378.62 823.1March59.16.06.49 268.23 786.65 481.5328.8191.55 152.72 331.12 821.6February58.45.86.69 258.03 851.25 406.9312.0197.35 094.92 289.52 805.4January

201158.05.77.09 084.93 817.25 267.7301.5205.94 966.22 238.22 728.0January 201058.15.15.88 893.53 726.25 167.3266.1170.84 901.22 131.52 769.7January 2009

FE M A L E S

71.95.35.19 121.12 565.56 555.6349.7282.56 205.8980.25 225.6January2012

72.64.74.49 112.12 496.76 615.4312.2241.36 303.21 016.75 286.4December71.84.84.69 102.62 569.96 532.7313.7249.16 219.01 015.45 203.6November72.25.04.99 092.92 530.66 562.3330.8266.16 231.51 019.85 211.8October72.55.24.89 083.42 494.06 589.4340.1265.96 249.31 004.05 245.2September71.65.14.99 076.42 581.36 495.0329.7263.56 165.3999.85 165.5August72.14.64.59 069.22 534.26 535.0302.3244.36 232.81 016.95 215.9July72.04.64.69 062.22 541.06 521.2299.9248.16 221.31 021.65 199.7June72.24.74.69 052.72 513.86 538.9309.5251.06 229.41 032.25 197.2May72.34.94.59 043.12 502.46 540.7317.8247.66 222.91 008.75 214.2April72.74.84.59 033.62 466.96 566.8316.7246.76 250.11 011.75 238.4March73.05.34.99 024.72 437.06 587.7351.9274.76 235.9953.45 282.4February72.75.15.09 015.72 463.76 552.0337.1273.36 214.91 012.75 202.2January

201172.25.75.58 842.12 454.46 387.7365.3292.26 022.4998.15 024.3January 201072.35.55.28 646.52 393.76 252.8345.8276.25 907.1865.25 041.8January 2009

MA L E S

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

Total

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Part

time

Full

time

Participation

rate

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE

Civilian

population

aged 15

years

and over

Not in

labour

force

Labour

force

UNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER) : Or ig ina l3


5 988.063.45.2197.73 596.22 559.763.45.3203.03 594.52 549.2January2012

5 984.163.55.6213.73 585.32 541.163.55.4203.43 596.92 544.5December5 978.463.65.2197.23 605.12 537.663.65.4203.83 598.22 540.5November5 972.663.65.3200.23 600.62 539.463.75.4203.93 599.42 536.8October5 966.863.85.5207.63 599.32 532.263.75.3203.43 599.42 533.6September5 962.763.95.4205.93 603.22 524.563.75.3202.03 597.02 531.4August5 958.663.75.3199.63 598.32 535.963.75.3199.83 594.12 531.0July5 954.463.55.3198.53 581.22 542.063.75.2197.23 593.12 532.2June5 949.163.64.9185.23 598.82 519.563.75.1194.23 595.32 534.3May5 943.763.55.1193.83 578.42 533.163.85.0190.53 600.92 537.6April5 938.464.25.1195.33 619.12 555.663.94.9187.73 607.92 541.5March5 932.964.34.8183.43 629.22 542.764.04.9186.43 613.52 545.3February5 927.464.04.9186.23 608.52 541.264.14.9186.43 614.92 549.0January

20115 830.863.35.7210.83 479.92 448.163.35.7211.03 478.42 443.5January 20105 722.763.85.7208.33 442.22 486.263.75.8211.43 436.52 467.0January 2009

PE R S O N S

3 050.356.65.696.71 631.0908.556.95.9101.51 632.5905.1January2012

3 048.257.26.4111.21 630.9905.457.05.8100.31 635.4903.3December3 045.156.95.595.91 637.2898.557.05.799.01 638.0902.1November3 041.957.15.494.21 641.6901.357.15.697.61 640.5901.0October3 038.857.35.697.61 644.0899.757.25.696.51 641.7900.2September3 036.557.45.494.11 650.1894.357.25.596.11 640.1899.1August3 034.357.15.696.81 634.7905.857.15.696.61 636.9898.2July3 032.057.05.798.21 630.3905.357.15.697.31 634.0897.5June3 029.257.15.797.81 631.1883.557.15.697.41 632.8896.8May3 026.456.75.797.51 617.5890.457.25.696.51 633.9896.6April3 023.757.85.8101.41 645.3911.457.35.595.41 636.4897.0March3 020.857.64.985.81 653.1897.057.45.494.41 638.6898.3February3 017.957.15.493.41 630.9893.257.45.493.81 638.5900.9January

20112 968.956.35.490.31 582.3861.556.25.591.51 577.9854.5January 20102 914.157.15.693.51 569.7911.857.05.997.91 564.4894.2January 2009

FE M A L E S

2 937.770.34.9101.01 965.21 651.270.34.9101.51 962.01 644.1January2012


20112 861.970.56.0120.61 897.61 586.770.65.9119.51 900.51 589.0January 20102 808.670.85.8114.81 872.51 574.570.75.7113.51 872.01 572.8January 2009

MA L E S

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

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Civilian

population

aged 15

years

and over

SEASONALLY ADJUSTEDTREND

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER)— New South Wales4


4 644.265.05.1155.02 863.71 969.465.15.2158.32 865.11 979.6January2012


20114 489.665.75.3156.32 794.61 914.665.45.3155.72 781.41 913.3January 20104 385.864.55.0140.12 688.91 873.564.65.1145.22 686.61 866.4January 2009

PE R S O N S

2 363.258.15.272.11 301.4677.058.25.373.51 301.6685.2January2012


20112 281.858.85.674.51 266.1674.458.55.471.51 263.1674.5January 20102 230.657.64.659.71 225.4646.957.85.267.71 221.6644.0January 2009

FE M A L E S

2 281.072.15.082.91 562.31 292.372.35.184.71 563.51 294.4January2012


20112 207.872.95.181.81 528.51 240.272.65.384.21 518.31 238.8January 20102 155.271.65.280.31 463.51 226.771.65.077.51 465.01 222.4January 2009

MA L E S

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

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Civilian

population

aged 15

years

and over


LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER)— Victo r ia5


3 699.367.45.4134.02 360.61 690.467.35.4135.02 353.61 687.5January2012


20113 570.967.25.4130.72 267.61 612.967.45.7137.22 268.91 617.0January 20103 481.767.94.5106.92 256.01 633.767.84.4103.22 259.31 632.6January 2009

PE R S O N S

1 870.561.55.765.01 084.9600.061.25.866.51 078.3602.4January2012


20111 803.961.15.460.01 042.6577.361.45.661.81 045.4578.8January 20101 759.061.64.144.81 039.0582.561.54.043.61 038.2579.3January 2009

FE M A L E S

1 828.873.55.169.01 275.71 090.473.55.168.51 275.31 085.2January2012


20111 767.073.35.570.71 225.01 035.673.55.875.41 223.51 038.2January 20101 722.774.24.862.01 217.01 051.274.34.759.61 221.11 053.3January 2009

MA L E S

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

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Civilian

population

aged 15

years

and over


LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER)— Queens land6


1 370.063.35.144.2823.1543.563.35.245.3821.4543.0January2012

1 369.463.25.346.0819.9544.863.35.345.6821.0542.9December1 368.663.45.345.6822.2544.163.35.345.8820.9543.5November1 367.963.35.346.0820.1541.863.45.345.9821.0544.4October1 367.263.55.648.3820.5544.163.45.345.8821.4546.0September1 366.763.25.043.5819.7548.063.55.345.7822.1548.3August1 366.263.75.345.8824.7550.363.65.245.6822.9551.0July1 365.763.85.144.6826.7557.963.65.345.8823.3553.4June1 364.663.55.446.8820.0553.463.75.346.2822.7554.6May1 363.663.85.447.3822.0555.363.65.446.8821.0554.5April1 362.663.75.446.7821.6554.263.65.547.3818.7553.4March1 361.463.45.749.6814.1554.563.55.547.8816.5552.5February1 360.263.25.446.3813.0544.863.45.648.0815.0552.2January

20111 341.563.74.438.0816.2540.163.45.243.8806.7538.5January 20101 321.663.65.849.0791.8541.263.65.747.6793.3542.0January 2009

PE R S O N S

698.957.24.919.6379.8186.157.14.919.5379.2183.7January2012

698.657.14.919.7379.1184.657.14.919.7378.8182.8December698.157.04.819.2379.0183.257.15.019.8378.6182.4November697.657.04.919.5377.9178.257.15.019.9378.4182.4October697.257.35.522.1377.1180.957.15.020.0378.5183.2September696.956.94.618.1378.5185.457.25.020.1378.7184.8August696.657.55.321.1379.7188.257.35.120.3379.1186.9July696.357.64.919.4381.4191.157.55.220.7379.3188.6June695.857.45.622.3376.9189.257.55.321.1379.0189.3May695.357.65.321.1379.4189.157.55.421.6378.3188.9April694.857.65.421.7378.6187.257.55.522.0377.5188.0March694.257.45.923.6375.0189.157.55.622.3376.9187.6February693.657.25.521.8375.0183.157.55.622.4376.5187.8January

2011684.657.24.919.3372.1183.456.75.220.1368.3183.0January 2010675.157.56.023.4364.6179.857.45.721.9365.5180.8January 2009

FE M A L E S

671.169.75.224.5443.3357.469.85.525.8442.2359.3January2012


2011656.970.44.018.6444.1356.770.45.123.7438.5355.5January 2010646.570.05.725.6427.1361.470.15.725.7427.8361.2January 2009

MA L E S

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

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Civilian

population

aged 15

years

and over


LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER)— South Aust ra l ia7


1 913.568.94.254.71 263.1894.268.44.255.21 251.6890.9January2012


20111 831.668.24.860.41 188.6835.168.45.062.81 190.2837.7January 20101 780.068.73.542.41 179.9858.669.33.745.21 188.8855.4January 2009

PE R S O N S

946.861.14.123.5555.2291.260.84.224.0550.8290.9January2012


2011907.560.25.328.9517.0269.160.35.529.8517.4270.6January 2010883.560.53.719.9514.7279.761.34.021.5520.4277.9January 2009

FE M A L E S

966.776.54.231.2707.8603.075.84.331.2700.8599.9January2012


2011924.176.14.531.4671.7566.076.34.732.9672.8567.2January 2010896.576.73.322.5665.2578.877.23.423.6668.4577.5January 2009

MA L E S

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

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Civilian

population

aged 15

years and

over


LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER)— Western Aust ra l ia8


415.360.57.017.7233.4149.560.86.616.7235.8151.6January2012


2011408.160.35.212.9233.1155.060.75.714.1233.5154.6January 2010403.761.84.511.2238.4164.462.04.611.6238.7163.0January 2009

PE R S O N S

212.555.86.07.1111.450.255.75.86.9111.551.4January2012


2011208.854.94.95.7109.152.855.65.26.0110.152.7January 2010206.755.05.05.7108.155.755.65.05.8109.155.3January 2009

FE M A L E S

202.865.48.010.5122.199.466.17.39.7124.2100.2January2012


2011199.365.85.57.2124.0102.365.96.18.0123.4101.8January 2010197.068.94.15.5130.3108.768.84.35.8129.7107.6January 2009

MA L E S

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

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Partici-

pation

rate

Unemp-

loyment

rate

Total

unemp-

loyed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Civilian

population

aged 15

years

and over


LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER)— Tasman ia9


173.674.74.25.4124.3101.4January2012

173.874.64.25.5124.1101.2December173.774.44.25.4123.8100.8November173.774.04.25.4123.2100.2October173.773.44.15.3122.499.4September173.872.74.15.2121.398.3August173.972.14.05.0120.397.4July174.071.83.94.8120.197.0June173.872.03.64.5120.697.1May173.672.43.34.1121.597.6April173.472.72.93.6122.498.2March173.272.82.53.2122.998.5February172.972.82.43.0122.898.6January

2011169.273.73.34.1120.597.0January 2010164.773.54.04.9116.293.7January 2009

PE R S O N S

85.771.24.62.858.243.0January2012


201183.668.53.52.055.339.4January 201081.368.93.72.154.038.3January 2009

FE M A L E S

88.078.13.82.666.158.4January2012


201185.678.73.22.265.357.6January 201083.378.04.32.862.255.5January 2009

MA L E S

'000%%'000'000'000

Participation

rate

Unemployment

rate

Total

unemployed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Civilian

population

aged 15

years

and over

TREND

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER)— Northern Ter r i to ry10


296.172.33.77.9206.1151.4January2012


2011285.273.13.77.7200.8150.0January 2010279.972.62.65.2198.1149.2January 2009

PE R S O N S

151.168.33.43.599.763.6January2012


2011145.868.73.03.097.162.5January 2010143.368.12.42.495.260.8January 2009

FE M A L E S

145.076.44.04.4106.387.8January2012


2011139.477.74.34.6103.687.5January 2010136.677.42.72.9102.988.4January 2009

MA L E S

'000%%'000'000'000

Participation

rate

Unemployment

rate

Total

unemployed

Total

employed

Employed

full time

Civilian

population

aged 15

years

and over

TREND

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER)— Aust ra l ian Cap i ta l Ter r i to ry11


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

64.85.55.718 499.96 504.511 995.4655.4481.811 340.03 296.88 043.2Australia

71.73.73.5296.183.7212.37.95.6204.451.5152.9Australian Capital Territory73.04.74.8173.646.9126.76.05.1120.820.5100.3Northern Territory60.37.27.9415.3164.7250.618.112.8232.582.8149.6Tasmania68.44.44.61 913.5604.01 309.558.143.21 251.3352.1899.2Western Australia62.75.65.61 370.0511.7858.347.731.7810.6271.9538.6South Australia66.76.06.53 699.31 232.52 466.8147.5115.72 319.3650.21 669.1Queensland64.75.45.74 644.21 638.43 005.7163.7119.32 842.0871.71 970.4Victoria62.95.55.55 988.02 222.53 765.5206.3148.53 559.2996.02 563.2New South Wales

PE R S O N S

58.05.66.69 378.83 939.05 439.8305.6199.35 134.22 316.52 817.6Australia

67.43.2*3.1151.149.3101.83.2*2.098.634.464.2Australian Capital Territory69.25.86.085.726.459.33.52.755.813.842.1Northern Territory55.26.78.8212.595.1117.37.84.7109.560.249.3Tasmania60.04.14.7946.8378.3568.523.514.3544.9251.7293.2Western Australia56.15.56.5698.9306.7392.121.612.7370.5186.9183.6South Australia60.46.27.61 870.5741.31 129.269.549.11 059.7467.2592.4Queensland57.95.76.82 363.2995.81 367.477.749.31 289.7612.7677.0Victoria55.95.86.63 050.31 346.11 704.198.764.51 605.4689.8915.7New South Wales

FE M A L E S

71.95.35.19 121.12 565.56 555.6349.7282.56 205.8980.25 225.6Australia

76.24.33.8145.034.4110.54.73.5105.817.188.7Australian Capital Territory76.73.73.988.020.567.42.52.364.96.758.2Northern Territory65.77.77.4202.869.6133.310.38.0122.922.7100.3Tasmania76.64.74.6966.7225.8741.034.628.9706.4100.4606.0Western Australia69.55.65.1671.1205.0466.126.119.0440.085.0355.0South Australia73.15.85.81 828.8491.21 337.678.066.61 259.6183.01 076.7Queensland71.85.25.12 281.0642.71 638.386.070.01 552.3259.01 293.3Victoria70.25.24.92 937.7876.42 061.3107.684.11 953.8306.31 647.5New South Wales

MA L E S

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

Total

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Part

time

Full

time

Participation

rate

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE

Civilian

population

aged 15

years

and over

Not in

labour

force

Labour

force

UNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

LABOUR FORCE STATUS (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER) , States & ter r i to r ies :

Or ig ina l —January 201212


4.445.854.916.624.8135.964.9682.6196.8January2012

4.346.055.116.424.6134.964.6686.4197.4December4.346.355.316.224.4133.964.1690.6198.3November4.346.655.416.024.2132.763.6695.0199.6October4.246.855.615.823.8131.462.8699.0201.5September4.146.955.615.623.3130.061.7701.6203.4August4.047.055.615.622.8129.360.4702.3205.1July4.046.955.615.622.3129.859.4701.6206.4June3.946.855.615.822.1131.459.0700.7207.4May4.046.855.716.022.1133.459.3700.9208.6April4.146.955.916.222.4135.960.7701.9210.5March4.247.056.216.422.7138.262.7703.4213.5February4.347.056.316.622.9140.164.5704.8217.3January

20114.647.456.616.324.0138.668.4710.3216.4January 20104.249.257.914.921.0128.262.7732.2235.1January 2009

PE R S O N S

4.147.456.616.230.966.830.0345.367.0January2012


20113.749.758.314.725.262.627.1363.480.7January 20103.550.658.813.924.459.025.2365.977.9January 2009

FE M A L E S

4.644.253.217.021.269.234.9337.3129.8January2012


20115.445.155.018.023.376.041.3346.9135.7January 20104.948.057.015.919.269.237.5366.3157.2January 2009

MA L E S

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

Total

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Full

time

Unemployment

to population

ratio – looking

for full-time

work

Employment

to

population

ratio

Participation

rate

UNEMPLOYMENTRATEUNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

PERSONS AGED 15– 19 YEARS, Labour Force Status : Trend13


4.345.954.816.324.4133.364.3683.7199.0January2012


20114.447.356.215.823.9133.066.1709.0209.8January 20104.348.757.515.421.7131.564.1723.7231.4January 2009

PE R S O N S

3.847.956.615.428.863.327.9348.868.9January2012


20113.649.757.713.924.658.426.6363.081.7January 20104.249.958.314.529.961.030.2360.770.9January 2009

FE M A L E S

4.843.953.117.321.970.036.4334.9130.1January2012


20115.145.054.817.723.574.639.4346.0128.1January 20104.447.556.816.317.470.533.9363.0160.5January 2009

MA L E S

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

Total

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Full

time

Unemployment

to population

ratio – looking

for full-time

work

Employment

to

population

ratio

Participation

rate

UNEMPLOYMENTRATEUNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

PERSONS AGED 15– 19 YEARS, Labour Force Status : Seasona l l y Ad jus ted14



5.257.717.525.81 490.9630.6860.3150.776.8709.6488.3221.2January 20125.359.517.825.11 499.3607.2892.1158.879.8733.4495.8237.5January 20115.359.017.225.31 498.5615.0883.5151.679.3731.9497.5234.4January 20105.260.316.823.21 486.6590.7895.9150.777.7745.2487.8257.4January 2009

Persons

4.559.616.029.3727.8293.7434.069.633.0364.4284.979.5January 20125.061.317.930.6731.6282.9448.780.236.6368.5285.483.1January 20114.360.414.825.0730.2289.1441.165.331.5375.8281.394.5January 20105.061.015.630.4722.9282.1440.868.736.0372.1289.782.3January 2009

Females


Males

TO T A L


Persons

*0.850.413.2*21.5502.5249.2253.233.3*4.1219.9205.014.9January 20121.453.716.625.0498.2230.9267.344.47.2222.9201.321.6January 2011

*1.150.514.2*23.7474.4234.6239.834.1*5.2205.7188.816.8January 20101.853.613.634.2474.6220.2254.434.68.4219.7203.616.1January 2009

Females

1.439.619.732.6474.6286.9187.837.06.7150.8136.913.8January 20121.844.018.328.7482.0269.8212.238.88.5173.4152.221.2January 20112.042.619.630.6466.1267.4198.738.99.2159.8138.920.9January 2010

*1.042.618.3*16.2454.2260.6193.635.5*4.4158.1135.123.0January 2009Males

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


Persons


Females


Males

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

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

Total

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Part

time

Full

time

Unemployment

to population

ratio – looking

for full-time

work

Participation

rate

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE

Civilian

population

aged

15–19

years

Not in

labour

force

Labour

force

UNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

PERSONS AGED 15– 19 YEARS, Educat ion & Labour Force Status : Or ig ina l15



5.257.717.525.81 490.9630.6860.3150.776.8709.6488.3221.2Australia

*4.259.6*14.3*22.423.49.514.0*2.0*1.012.08.53.4Australian Capital Territory*7.554.816.1*24.316.27.38.91.4*1.27.43.63.8Northern Territory7.360.826.636.034.413.520.95.62.515.410.94.5Tasmania6.566.315.723.3158.053.3104.816.410.388.454.434.0Western Australia

*2.956.417.1*20.1107.146.760.410.3*3.150.138.012.1South Australia6.465.916.726.0314.3107.1207.334.620.1172.6115.457.2Queensland5.654.820.632.7363.0164.0199.141.120.3158.0116.241.8Victoria3.951.716.022.2474.3229.3245.139.318.4205.8141.364.5New South Wales

TO T A L

1.145.115.927.2977.1536.1441.070.310.8370.7341.928.8Australia

*2.349.8*13.9*36.116.48.28.2*1.1*0.47.06.4*0.7Australian Capital Territory*3.636.3*14.3*41.87.44.72.7*0.4*0.32.31.9*0.4Northern Territory*2.647.628.7*54.222.711.910.83.1*0.67.77.2*0.5Tasmania*2.154.614.2*27.498.844.854.07.6*2.046.340.95.4Western Australia*0.645.419.0*17.874.140.533.66.4*0.527.225.0*2.2South Australia*1.050.015.5*28.2179.089.689.413.9*1.875.570.9*4.6Queensland*0.944.817.6*29.4260.7144.0116.720.6*2.496.190.35.8Victoria*0.939.513.7*23.2318.2192.4125.717.2*2.8108.599.39.2New 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

12.981.619.225.5513.894.5419.380.466.0338.9146.4192.5Australia

*8.782.2*15.0*18.27.0*1.35.8*0.9*0.64.92.22.8Australian Capital Territory*10.870.3*16.9*21.88.82.66.2*1.0*1.05.11.73.4Northern Territory16.386.124.332.611.81.610.12.51.97.73.74.0Tasmania13.985.817.322.459.38.450.88.88.342.013.528.6Western Australia*7.881.214.7*20.633.06.226.83.9*2.622.913.09.9South Australia13.587.117.625.8135.317.5117.820.718.397.144.552.6Queensland17.480.524.933.2102.420.082.420.517.861.925.936.0Victoria10.076.418.522.0156.236.9119.322.015.697.342.055.3New 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

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

Total

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Looking

for f/t

workTotal

Part

time

Full

time

Unemployment

to population

ratio – looking

for full-time

work

Participation

rate

UNEMPLOYMENTRATE

Civilian

population

aged

15–19

years

Not in

labour

force

Labour

force

UNEMPLOYEDEMPLOYED

PERSONS AGED 15– 19 YEARS, States & ter r i to r ies : Or ig ina l —January 201216


(a) Gross flows figures do not match published labour force estimates. Refer to gross flows in Glossary.

14 712.64 987.89 724.8499.39 225.52 699.26 526.3Matched Civilian Population4 842.94 506.8336.2136.8199.4126.373.1Not in Labour Force9 869.7481.19 388.6362.59 026.12 572.96 453.2Labour Force

489.6142.3347.3257.489.956.133.8Unemployed Total9 380.1338.89 041.3105.18 936.22 516.86 419.4Employed Total2 733.4216.52 516.955.72 461.22 148.4312.9Employed Part time6 646.7122.36 524.449.46 474.9368.46 106.6Employed Full time

PE R S O N S

7 468.63 038.94 429.7233.24 196.51 915.32 281.2Matched Civilian Population2 948.52 770.0178.570.7107.880.927.0Not in Labour Force4 520.0268.94 251.2162.54 088.61 834.42 254.3Labour Force

237.174.5162.5121.041.531.310.2Unemployed Total4 283.0194.34 088.641.54 047.11 803.12 244.1Employed Total1 921.4137.61 783.827.31 756.51 577.7178.8Employed Part time2 361.656.82 304.814.22 290.7225.42 065.3Employed Full time

FE M A L E S

7 244.11 949.05 295.1266.15 029.0783.94 245.1Matched Civilian Population1 894.41 736.8157.666.191.645.446.1Not in Labour Force5 349.6212.25 137.4200.04 937.4738.54 199.0Labour Force

252.667.8184.8136.448.424.823.6Unemployed Total5 097.1144.54 952.663.64 889.0713.74 175.4Employed Total

812.078.9733.128.3704.7570.7134.1Employed Part time4 285.165.54 219.635.34 184.3143.04 041.3Employed Full time

MA L E S

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

Matched

Civilian

Population

Not in

Labour

Force

Labour

ForceUnemployed

Employed

Total

Employed

Part time

Employed

Full time

LABOUR FORCE STATUS IN JANUARY 2012

Labou r fo r ce sta tu s in

Decembe r 2011

LABOUR FORCE STATUS GROSS FLOWS, MATCHED RECORDS DECEMBER 2011 AND

JANUARY 2012(a) : Or ig ina l17


1 593.9230.91 363.01 607.0236.31 370.6January2012

1 617.0237.91 379.11 611.2237.81 373.3December1 613.4244.51 368.91 615.2239.01 376.1November1 627.5238.91 388.61 618.6239.91 378.6October1 614.2239.11 375.11 620.6240.31 380.3September1 623.8241.01 382.81 620.1240.21 379.9August1 619.5239.71 379.71 617.5239.71 377.8July1 616.2237.51 378.61 614.3239.01 375.3June1 609.4240.11 369.31 611.6238.51 373.2May1 596.2237.91 358.31 609.4237.91 371.5April1 616.0236.61 379.41 607.8237.31 370.5March1 613.4236.71 376.71 606.3237.01 369.4February1 591.3234.61 356.81 605.0236.71 368.3January

20111 546.6233.61 313.01 551.7232.11 319.7January 20101 564.6216.31 348.31 549.6220.51 329.2January 2009

PE R S O N S

613.9166.2447.7619.6169.0450.6January2012


2011592.2162.5429.7595.6162.3433.3January 2010608.2156.1452.1599.0158.3440.6January 2009

FE M A L E S

980.064.7915.3987.467.4920.0January2012

993.368.9924.4989.968.3921.6December990.670.9919.6992.269.1923.2November

1 000.169.0931.1994.269.7924.5October992.170.1922.0995.570.2925.4September996.370.3926.0995.470.3925.1August996.571.1925.4994.170.2923.8July992.569.1923.3992.669.9922.5June991.669.6922.0991.369.7921.6May980.769.7911.0990.069.5921.0April994.369.3925.0988.969.5920.5March995.069.0926.0987.969.7919.8February982.969.7913.1987.169.9918.9January

2011954.471.1883.3956.169.8886.3January 2010956.560.3896.2950.762.1888.5January 2009

MA L E S

millionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillions

Total

Part

time

workers

Full

time

workersTotal

Part

time

workers

Full

time

workers


AGGREGATE MONTHLY HOURS WORKED18


np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated(a) Use with caution; see note 28 in the Explanatory Notes, also refer to article in January 2011 issue.

1 607.028.218.731.1180.8112.1337.2392.9505.9January2012

1 611.228.418.831.3180.6112.3337.8395.3506.6December1 615.228.618.931.4180.6112.6338.2397.7507.2November1 618.628.718.931.6180.6112.8338.6399.8507.6October1 620.628.918.931.6180.5113.0338.7401.3507.8September1 620.128.918.831.5180.3113.2338.2401.8507.4August1 617.528.818.531.4180.0113.3337.0401.5506.9July1 614.328.718.331.4179.4113.5335.2401.2506.5June1 611.628.718.331.4178.7113.5333.2401.3506.5May1 609.428.718.331.4177.8113.4331.5401.4506.8April1 607.828.618.431.4177.0113.2330.5401.5507.1March1 606.328.518.531.4176.2113.0330.3401.2507.1February1 605.028.418.531.4175.7112.7330.4400.6507.2January

20111 551.727.618.231.4166.7109.7324.4385.7488.1January 20101 549.627.817.732.3171.9110.3327.5372.9489.3January 2009

TR E N D

1 593.9npnp30.2180.7111.7337.2383.7504.8January2012

1 617.0npnp31.5180.8112.3339.4400.2505.4December1 613.4npnp31.9178.3112.9336.4399.2506.9November1 627.5npnp31.8184.6112.8337.6400.8511.8October1 614.2npnp31.4179.3112.7336.6400.6505.8September1 623.8npnp31.4178.8113.6344.1402.3506.2August1 619.5npnp31.3179.3112.8339.2400.3509.3July1 616.2npnp31.5182.6113.8332.0403.2505.6June1 609.4npnp31.1178.6113.3330.5402.2506.4May1 596.2npnp31.8175.6113.8332.3395.0502.3April1 616.0npnp31.5177.8112.9331.7403.9510.5March1 613.4npnp31.3176.8113.7330.2403.8509.9February1 591.3npnp31.2174.9111.7(a)317.6402.6506.1January

20111 546.6npnp31.4164.6110.1323.4385.0487.3January 20101 564.6npnp32.6172.8110.4332.2374.7495.8January 2009

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

millionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillionsmillions

Australia

Australian

Capital

Territory

Northern

TerritoryTasmania

Western

Australia

South

AustraliaQueenslandVictoria

New

South

Wales

HOURS WORKED

AGGREGATE MONTHLY HOURS WORKED, States & ter r i to r ies19


12.27.3873.512.67.3876.112.57.2865.6November11.96.8810.912.37.0841.712.37.1854.6August12.17.1850.412.27.1855.212.27.0844.3May12.87.2868.311.97.0832.912.17.0844.5February

2011

11.97.1846.112.37.1847.312.27.1848.4November12.17.2845.912.57.4874.512.37.2850.1August12.27.0821.312.37.0826.712.57.3858.4May

201012.97.7896.613.47.7901.313.37.7897.0November 200910.66.4728.310.96.4733.711.26.5748.0November 200810.36.1682.110.66.1686.710.56.2687.5November 2007

PE R S O N S


2011


201014.99.8520.415.29.8517.415.29.8515.2November 200912.98.5439.213.48.5439.813.58.6448.8November 200812.58.1410.312.98.1411.112.88.1409.6November 2007

FE M A L E S


2011


201011.36.0376.311.86.1383.911.86.0381.8November 2009

8.64.7289.08.94.7293.99.24.8299.2November 20088.44.5271.88.74.5275.68.54.6277.9November 2007

MA L E S

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

Labour

force under-

utilisation rate

Under-

employment

rate

Under-

employed

workers

Labour

force under-

utilisation rate

Under-

employment

rate

Under-

employed

workers

Labour

force under-

utilisation rate

Under-

employment

rate

Under-

employed

workers

ORIGINALSEASONALLY ADJUSTEDTREND

LABOUR UNDERUT IL ISAT ION (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER)— NOVEMBER 2011 20


12.27.3873.512.67.3876.112.57.2865.6Australia

8.24.69.78.74.79.98.74.69.7Australian Capital

Territory

8.94.25.59.34.76.09.14.55.8Northern Territory16.19.724.516.39.924.915.99.824.6Tasmania

9.65.773.610.15.875.010.15.875.0Western Australia13.48.473.013.68.472.513.28.170.2South Australia12.87.6188.213.37.5186.713.67.6188.3Queensland11.86.8205.312.36.7202.412.16.6199.7Victoria12.77.8293.713.17.8297.013.17.7291.7New South Wales

PE R S O N S

14.59.5523.114.99.5520.514.89.3514.0Australia


Territory

9.84.52.810.25.03.09.95.33.1Northern Territory18.612.614.818.712.714.918.713.015.2Tasmania12.18.347.312.48.247.112.28.045.9Western Australia15.711.144.415.811.043.915.410.843.0South Australia15.09.6109.615.79.6109.415.79.5108.9Queensland14.09.0123.714.38.8121.314.18.5116.9Victoria15.310.1174.315.810.2176.715.810.1175.0New South Wales

FE M A L E S

10.25.4350.310.65.4355.610.65.4351.6Australia


Territory

8.14.02.88.64.43.08.33.92.7Northern Territory13.97.29.714.27.410.013.57.09.4Tasmania

7.63.626.38.23.927.98.44.029.0Western Australia11.56.128.711.86.128.711.35.827.2South Australia10.95.978.611.25.877.311.75.979.4Queensland

9.95.081.610.54.981.010.35.082.8Victoria10.55.8119.410.75.8120.310.85.7116.7New South Wales

MA L E S

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

Labour

force under-

utilisation rate

Under-

employment

rate

Under-

employed

workers

Labour

force under-

utilisation rate

Under-

employment

rate

Under-

employed

workers

Labour

force under-

utilisation rate

Under-

employment

rate

Under-

employed

workers

ORIGINALSEASONALLY ADJUSTEDTREND

LABOUR UNDERUT IL ISAT ION (AGED 15 YEARS & OVER) , States &

ter r i to r ies —November 201121


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

5.15.25.2January

2012

5.25.25.2December5.25.25.2November5.25.25.2October

2011

(2) 5.0 i.e.

falls by 2.10%

(1) 5.2 i.e.

rises by 2.10%

WHAT IF NEXT MONTH'S SEASONALLYADJUSTED ESTIMATE IS:

Trend as

published

Jul2011

Sep Nov Jan2012

%

4.8

5.0

5.2

5.4

5.6Published trend12

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

11 444.611 460.011 448.5January

2012

11 445.011 453.111 446.8December11 445.011 447.411 445.6November11 444.511 443.511 444.2October

2011

(2) 11 436.4 i.e.

falls by 0.24%

(1) 11 491.4 i.e.

rises by 0.24%

WHAT IF NEXT MONTH'S SEASONALLYADJUSTED FIGURE IS:

Trend as

published

Jul2011

Sep Nov Jan2012

'000

11300

11375

11450

11525

11600Published 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 29 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 February seasonally adjusted estimate is higher than the January estimate by:

0.24% for employment

2.10% for the unemployment rate

(2) The February seasonally adjusted estimate is lower than the January estimate by:

0.24% for employment

2.10% for the unemployment rate

The percentage changes of 0.24% and 2.10% 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

9 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

8 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

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

(currently approximately 29,000 houses, flats, etc.) and a list sample of non-private

dwellings (hotels, motels, etc.), and covers approximately 0.33% 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.

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 conducted face-to-face. Subsequent interviews are conducted by telephone

(if acceptable to the respondent).

6 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, 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.

7 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. As discussed in the note on page 2, this month’s

estimates are published 39 days after the commencement of interviews due to

operational issues.

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

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

which was introduced in May 2007. 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 month's 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

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

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

benchmarks). These population benchmarks are projections of the most recently

released quarterly Estimated Resident Population (ERP) data. For information on the

methodology used to produce the ERP see Australian Demographic Statistics

(cat. no. 3101.0). To create the population benchmarks for the Labour Force Survey, the

most recently released quarterly ERP estimates are projected forward one quarter past

the period for which they are required. The projection is based on the historical pattern

of each population component - births, deaths, interstate migration and net overseas

migration (NOM). By projecting one quarter past that needed for the current population

benchmarks, demographic changes are smoothed in, thereby making them less

noticeable in the population benchmarks.

11 Commencing March 2010, the ERP series is 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. The

revised ERP estimates are used to update the quarterly population projections used in

creating the Labour Force Survey population benchmarks.

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

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

incorporation of census information, the ERP series prior to the latest census are final

and subject to no further revision. Labour Force Survey population benchmarks, and the

estimates, are revised following this 5-yearly revision in the ERP. From the February 2009

issue of this publication, labour force estimates have been compiled using population

benchmarks based on the results of the 2006 Census. Revisions were made in the

February 2009 issue to historical labour force estimates from June 2001 to January 2009.

13 As noted, Labour Force Survey population benchmarks are derived from ABS' ERP

series. In the past, ABS has revised the Labour Force Survey population benchmarks

every five years in order to incorporate additional information from the latest Census.

However, in the July 2010 issue of this publication the Labour Force Survey population

benchmarks were revised back to July 2006 to accommodate earlier revisions to ERP.

14 From October 2010 onwards, the net overseas migration component of the Labour

Force Survey population benchmarks has been derived using assumptions that take into

account a range of available supplementary data sources and relevant information to

forecast population changes in the short-term. See articles in Labour Force, Australia

(cat. no. 6202.0) titled: Labour Force Survey Population Benchmarks in the September

2010 issue; and Changes in this issue in the October 2010 issue. In the future, the ABS

may occasionally rebenchmark and revise Labour Force Survey estimates to take account

of changes in ERP as additional information becomes available. Where revisions are

undertaken, these will be communicated in this publication.

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


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

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

collected in the 2006 Census of Population and Housing.

22 The majority of this sample was phased in over the period November 2007 to

June 2008, with one-eighth of this portion of the sample being introduced every month.

Such a pattern of implementation means that any changes to labour force estimates due

to differences between the two samples, or any other influences, were spread over the

eight months. The remainder of the sample (about 20% of the total), which covers less

settled areas and non-private dwellings was rotated in full for New South Wales, Western

Australia, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory in March 2008, and for

Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania in April 2008.


SA M P L E

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 has been 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 (cat. no. 6292.0), released in

December 2003.

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 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. While estimates for periods prior to April 2001 are unrevised and were

compiled using a different estimation method, no trend break was identified in the

employed persons series. Also, 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). For further

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

(cat. no. 6292.0).

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



29 Seasonal adjustment is a means of removing the estimated effects of normal

seasonal variation from the series so that the effects of other influences on the series can

be more clearly recognised. 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.

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 97%. See Glossary for definition of response rate.

28 Due to flooding in Queensland, operational difficulties were experienced in

conducting the Labour Force Survey in January 2011. While the disruption to survey

operations will have slightly reduced the quality of some Queensland estimates, the

impact on the estimates is not statistically significant for most series. However, a

noticeable impact on aggregate monthly hours worked was observed for Queensland

and a large extreme correction has been applied to stabilise the trend estimate. A similar

treatment has been applied to the Australian total series. See article in January 2011 issue

of Labour Force, Australia (cat. no. 6202.0) titled: Impact of the Floods on the Labour

Force Survey.

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

23 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.

24 For further details, see Information Paper: Labour Force Survey Sample Design

(cat. no. 6269.0).


SA M P L E continued



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.

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

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 95% 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 in February each year

with the results released in the February issue of this publication.

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].

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 continued



Technical and Further EducationTAFE

seasonally adjustedSeas adj.

percentage pointspts

part timep/t

Labour Force SurveyLFS

full timef/t

estimated resident populationERP

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

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

! 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

continued



0.40.50.51.51.91.61.10.70.90.80.6ptsUnemployment to population ratio –

looking for f/t work

0.71.01.03.23.52.72.11.91.61.51.3ptsParticipation rate

0.81.11.23.63.63.72.02.51.72.01.7ptsTotal0.91.11.53.82.64.12.12.71.72.01.8ptsLooking for p/t work1.72.82.07.85.97.33.75.13.44.23.3ptsLooking for f/t work

Unemployment rate11.77.88.40.90.80.93.32.55.06.58.3'000Not in labour force10.27.37.30.80.60.93.32.15.15.36.0'000Labour force

7.45.05.40.50.30.82.21.53.74.14.3'000Total5.13.63.60.40.10.61.31.32.32.93.0'000Looking for p/t work5.23.43.90.40.30.51.70.82.72.82.8'000Looking for f/t work

Unemployed

9.26.86.60.70.50.82.91.94.64.65.5'000Total7.76.15.30.60.40.72.31.63.84.04.6'000Part time5.53.74.60.40.40.51.81.02.72.73.4'000Full time

EmployedAged 15–19 years




15.710.611.41.10.81.54.13.27.38.510.2'000Total7.96.24.90.60.30.82.11.93.54.35.2'000Looking for p/t work

13.48.510.20.90.71.33.52.76.67.28.6'000Looking for f/t workUnemployed


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 9,200. The standard error is

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

9,200 indicates that:

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

range 690,800 to 709,200 (700,000 + or – 9,200)

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

the range 681,600 to 718,400 (700,000 + or – 18,400).

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 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

0.40.50.51.61.71.61.21.00.90.80.7ptsUnemployment to population ratio –

looking for f/t work




7.85.45.60.60.30.82.31.63.94.24.7'000Total5.64.04.00.60.10.61.61.22.53.03.4'000Looking for p/t work5.43.74.10.40.30.51.81.12.92.93.1'000Looking for f/t work

Unemployed


EmployedAged 15–19 years




16.110.911.61.10.61.54.23.28.48.310.3'000Total8.26.45.20.80.20.82.31.83.84.55.2'000Looking for p/t work

13.78.710.41.00.61.23.72.77.37.18.8'000Looking for f/t workUnemployed


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 in

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

Aggregate monthly hours worked 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 aggregate monthly hours worked means that theseare synthetic estimates. Seasonally adjusted and trend estimates of aggregate monthlyhours worked are available for the period July 1978 onwards.

Further information on the methodology used to produce the aggregate monthly hoursworked 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, aggregate monthly hours worked estimates are a true monthly measure, andmay be aggregated across time to produce both quarterly and annual estimates.

Aggregate monthly hoursworked

Actual hours of work refers to a specified reference period and includes:! hours actually worked during normal periods of work;! time spent in addition to hours worked during normal periods of work (including

overtime);! 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; and! time corresponding to short rest periods.

Excluded are:! hours paid for but not worked, such as paid annual leave, public holidays or paid sick

leave;! meal breaks; and! time spent on travel to and from work (excluding some self-employed).

For multiple job holders actual hours worked should equal the hours worked at all jobs.

Actual hours of work

Includes writing, telephoning or applying to an employer for work; answering anadvertisement for a job; checking noticeboards; being registered with Centrelink as ajobseeker; checking or registering with any other employment agency; advertising ortendering for work; and contacting friends or relatives.

Actively looking 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 the

gross 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); and! the estimates of relative sizes of each transition class are subject to bias due to the

matched sample being a non-representative sample.

Gross flows

Employed persons who usually worked 35 hours or more a week (in all jobs) and thosewho, although usually working fewer than 35 hours a week, worked 35 hours or moreduring the reference week.

Full time workers

Flow estimates are a measure of activity over a given period. For example, aggregatemonthly hours worked is a measure of the total number of hours worked in a calendarmonth.

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)

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

Employment to populationratio

All persons aged 15 years and over who, during the reference week:! worked for one hour or more for pay, profit, commission or payment in kind in a job

or business, or on a farm (comprising employees, employers and own accountworkers); or

! worked for one hour or more without pay in a family business or on a farm(i.e. contributing family workers); or

! were employees who had a job but were not at work and were:! away from work for fewer 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; or

! were employers or own account workers, who had a job, business or farm, but werenot at work.

Employed

previous months. For details see Information Paper: Forthcoming Changes to LabourForce Statistics, 2007 (cat. no. 6292.0).


G L O S S A R Y continued

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 start

work with more hours, either in the reference week or in the four weeks subsequentto the survey; or

! persons 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 the labour force.Underemployment rate

A smoothed seasonally adjusted series of estimates. See Explanatory Notes 34 to 37 formore detail.

Trend series

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 29 to 33 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

Employed persons who usually worked fewer than 35 hours a week (in all jobs) andeither did so during the reference week or were not at work during the reference week.

Part time workers

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

Participation rate

Persons who were not in the categories employed or unemployed, as defined.Not in labour force

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

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

Labour force underutilisationrate

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 to a specified reference period.The concept of usual hours applies both to persons at work and to persons temporarilyabsent from work, and is defined as the hours worked during a typical week or day.Actual hours worked (for a specific reference period) may differ from usual hoursworked due to illness, vacation, strike, overtime work, a change of job, or similarreasons.

Usual hours of work

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

Unemployment to populationratio

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; or! were waiting to start a new part time job.

Unemployed looking for parttime work

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

Unemployed looking 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 to

the end of the reference week and were available for work in the reference week; or! were waiting to start a new job within four weeks from the end of the reference week

and could have started in the reference week if the job had been available then.

Unemployed



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© Commonwealth of Australia 2012Produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

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JANUARY 2012 LABOUR FORCE · Jan 11 to Jan 12 Dec 11 to Dec 2011 Jan 2012 Jan 12 K E Y F I G U R E S TREND ESTIMATES (MONTHLY CHANGE)! Employment increased to 11,448,500.! Unemployment