Australians are seeking additional work to cope with rising living expenses and prepare for increased mortgage payments. This comes as new data reveals the unemployment rate has reached its highest point since the pandemic.
The jobless figure increased to 4.6% in August, up from 4.5% in July, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Economists had anticipated the rate would remain stable.
Despite the unexpected rise in unemployment, analysts believe it will not deter the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) from implementing a fourth interest rate hike next Tuesday. If this occurs, the RBA's cash rate would climb from 4.35% to 4.6%, marking its highest level in almost 15 years.
Central bank officials have repeatedly stated that inflation, currently at 3.5%, remains too high and is not decreasing as hoped. The number of Australians working more than one job has surpassed 1 million for the first time, with this figure now representing 6.9% of employed individuals.