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- The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has reported a rebound in hours worked over the December quarter as business activity ramped up during the period
- Seasonally adjusted hours worked climbed 4.3 per cent higher, while filled jobs grew by 3.4 per cent
- Demand for workers grew with job vacancies escalating by 16.8 per cent, following a fall in the September quarter
- The rebound in working hours was seen across most industries, with 16 out of 19 experiencing growth
- The period was before widespread impact of the COVID-19 Omicron strain took hold, with business activity growing after lockdowns ended in some states
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released new data, highlighting a rebound in hours worked over the December quarter.
Seasonally adjusted hours worked climbed 4.3 per cent higher during the quarter while filled jobs grew by 3.4 per cent.
The period was before the widespread impact of the COVID-19 Omicron strain took hold, with business activity ramping up after lockdowns ended in some states. According to labour force statistics, hours worked fell 8.8 per cent (seasonally adjusted) between December and January, with more employees ill or on leave than typical.
Demand for workers grew, with job vacancies escalating by 16.8 per cent, following a fall in the September quarter.
Head of labour statistics Bjorn Jarvis said this is a sizeable increase.
“Job vacancies accounted for 2.7 per cent of all jobs in December quarter 2021,” he said.
“This share is the highest it has been in the three decades of Labour Account data, and well above the start of the pandemic, when it was 1.6 per cent.”
The rebound in working hours was seen across most industries, with 16 out of 19 experiencing growth.
Strong improvement was seen in the accommodation and food services industry, with a 16.1 per cent increase in jobs and a 41.1 per cent increase in hours worked. This follows huge declines, which were reported in the September quarter.
However, the construction industry reported a 1.4 per cent fall in jobs while agriculture, forestry and fishing, and public administration and safety saw reductions in hours worked.
