Trend unemployment rate has continued to decrease to 5.2 per cent in the month of September 2018, according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 

Comparatively, trend employment has increased by approximately 26,000 persons in the month of September 2018. Full-time employment has increased by over around 21,000 persons. 

Along with the increase, the trend monthly hours worked also increased by 0.2 per cent in September 2018. 

In addition, the trend participation rate remained stable at 65.6 per cent in the month of September 2018. 

“Today’s figures continue to show a gradual decrease in the trend unemployment rate that began in late 2014. The trend unemployment rate of 5.2 per cent is the lowest it has been since mid 2012,” Chief Economist for the ABS, Bruce Hockman said. 

The trend employment rate for the year of 2018 has been above average with a growth of 2.4 per cent, or 290,000 persons. This has also increased the trend monthly hours worked by 1.8 per cent over the past year. 

New South Wales showed the strongest annual growth in trend employment with 3.4 per cent, with Victoria following with 2.6 per cent. 

Further, the trend underemployment rate decreased to 8.3 per cent, with the trend underutilisation rate decreased to 13.5 per cent in September 2018.