- After dipping in late May, payroll jobs rose again in the first half of June
- Natural variation in job numbers occurs during the end of financial year
- How Sydney and other areas come out of lockdowns may impact jobs going forward
After taking a dip (-0.9%) in the fortnight to 5 June, payroll jobs across the country rose overall during the first half of last month, by 0.3%, according to the ABS.
These numbers have jumped around a bit of late, but look like they may have turned a corner, albeit this is contingent on how long the Sydney lockdown continues, and its success in getting out of its current situation.
“Payroll jobs increased in every state and territory through the first half of June, ranging from 0.1% in New South Wales and Western Australia to 0.6% in the Australian Capital Territory.”
Bjorn Jarvis, head of Labour Statistics, ABS
“Payroll jobs in Victoria rose by 0.4% in the fortnight to 19 June 2021, as the restrictions associated with its recent lockdown eased. This followed a fall of 2.1% in the previous fortnight.
Victorian payroll jobs, by Greater Capital City Statistical Areas
Payroll jobs and wages data tend to move around more around the end of the financial year, as businesses are adjusting their plans, and starting their new annual budgets. This can result in a higher level of variation in payroll jobs and wages estimates and revisions over this period, the ABS said.
“Accommodation and food services in Victoria showed early signs of recovery from the lockdown, rising 6.4% across the fortnight, while arts and recreation services fell, down by 3.2%. This followed large falls in the previous fortnight in both industries (down 15.3% and 10.4%).”
Nationally, payroll jobs in the accommodation and food services industry rose by 1.4 % in the fortnight and fell by 1.0% in the arts and recreation services.
“The Victorian lockdown had a more pronounced impact on payroll jobs in the Greater Melbourne region than in the Rest of Victoria. However, the early signs of recovery in payroll jobs were also more evident in Greater Melbourne,” Mr Jarvis said.
