9 Sep 2011

Unemployment up in Australia

7:06 am on 9 September 2011

Australia's unemployment rate jumped unexpectedly in August, with almost 10,000 jobs lost.

Bureau of Statistics figures show a total of 9,700 jobs were lost last month, sending the unemployment rate up to 5.3%.

Economists had predicted 10,000 jobs were likely to have been created and had expected the jobless rate to stay steady at 5.1%.

The ABC reports the loss of 12,600 full-time roles was only slightly countered by the addition of 2900 part-time positions.

The participation rate, or number of people in work or looking for a job, remained steady at 65.6%.

Jobs and Skills Minister Chris Evans says the unexpected jump shows the patchwork nature of the economy.

Queensland recorded the biggest jump in unemployment.