We’ve pulled together a list of Australian employment and income statistics that shine a light on Australia’s changing job market. From high-growth industries and areas around the country, to the jobs that are earning the most (and least) and how incomes stack up against inflation.
Table of Content
- There are 326,700 current job vacancies in Australia
- Australian job switchers earn 9% more than employees who stay with the same employer
- Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to 4.2% in December 2025
- Australia’s total employment figure increased to 14,686,100 in 2025
- Approximately 1/3 of Australian adults are not in paid work
- The Northern Territory has the highest rate of employment at 69.7%
- South Australia has the lowest rate of employment at 62.4%
- Australia’s median weekly earnings rose to $1,425 in August 2025
- Australia’s median hourly earnings increased to $42.90 in August 2025
- Chief Executives, General Managers and Legislators recorded the highest weekly median income in Australia.
- Food Preparation Assistants recorded the lowest median weekly earnings
- The ACT has the highest median weekly earnings at $1,600 per week
- Tasmania & South Australia have the lowest median weekly earnings at $1,300 per week
- Post Graduates earn (on average) twice as much as those with non-school qualifications
1. There are 326,700 current job vacancies in Australia
As of November 2025, there are 326,700 job vacancies in Australia with 287,400 coming from the private sector and 39,300 in the public sector. Job vacancies are around 31% higher than May 2022 when Australia saw its highest level of job vacancies.
2. Australian job switchers earn 9% more than employees who stay with the same employer
Is it worth staying with the same job, or is the grass really always greener? Well, according to the latest data, loyalty doesn’t pay. A recent report shows the average Australian worker who “job switches” to a new employer earns 9% more than one who stays in the same role.
3. Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to 4.2% in December 2025
Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to 4.2% as of December 2025 showing positive signs for the local economy. Historically, the 4.2% unemployment rate in December 2025 compares favourably with Australia’s average unemployment rate of 6.53% between 1978 and 2025, whilst still falling short of the record low unemployment rate of 3.40 percent from October 2022.
4. Australia’s total employment figure increased to 14,686,100 in 2025
Australia’s total employment figure increased to 14,686,100 in 2025 with an employment to population ratio of 64.0%. During the same period, Full-time employment increased by 54,800 to 10,101,100 people.
5. Approximately 1/3 of Australian adults are not in paid work
According to the latest data, 1/3 of Australian adults are not engaged in paid work with reports finding that 1.2 million Australian adults wanted but didn’t have a paid job during 2025. Of those 1.2 million Australian adults, almost half of those are actively looking for work.
6. The Northern Territory has the highest rate of employment at 69.7%
The Northern Territory boasts the highest employment figures of any state or territory, with 145,100 people in employment, bringing its employment rate to 69.7%.
7. South Australia has the lowest rate of employment at 62.4%
South Australia has the highest unemployment rate of any state or territory in Australia. As of December 2025, there were a total of 997,600 recorded local workers bringing the statewide employment average to 62.4% which falls short of the national average of 64.0%.
8. Australia’s median weekly earnings rose to $1,425 in August 2025
Median weekly earnings in Australia increased by $26 from $1,399 in 2024 to $1,425 in 2025. While the 1.8% increase shows some positives, it still fell short of Australia’s CPI annual inflation of 3.4 per cent in the 12 months to November 2025.
9. Australia’s median hourly earnings increased to $42.90 in August 2025
Australia’s median hourly earnings increased by 7.2% ($2.90 per hour) between August 2024 and August 2025 comfortably outpacing inflation during the same period.
10. Chief Executives, General Managers and Legislators recorded the highest weekly median income in Australia.
This group recorded the highest earnings among sub-major occupation groups at $3,223, followed by Specialist Managers ($2,310) and ICT Professionals ($2,300).
11. Food Preparation Assistants recorded the lowest median weekly earnings
Food Preparation Assistants recorded the lowest median wage at $448 per week as of August 2025. Other low-earning occupation groups included Hospitality Workers ($556), Sales Assistants and Salespersons ($631), and Sales Support Workers ($661).
12. The ACT has the highest median weekly earnings at $1,600 per week
The Australian Capital Territory is leading the way in Australia’s median weekly earnings with a median weekly earnings of $1,600 per week. The Northern Territory followed closely in second with a median weekly earnings average of $1,510.
13. Tasmania & South Australia have the lowest median weekly earnings at $1,300 per week
As of August 2025, Tasmania & South Australia are locked at the bottom of the median weekly earning incomes table by state and territory with a median weekly earnings of $1,300 per week each, respectively.
14. Post Graduates earn (on average) twice as much as those with non-school qualifications
The latest data shows that education still plays an important role in determining earning potential with employees with a postgraduate degree earning an average of $2,000 per week compared to those with non-school qualifications at just $1,000 per week.