Home topics news Image credit: Priscilla Du Preez News News Australia’s job market just turned a corner, and teenagers are leading the charge Yajush Gupta December 12, 2025 Black Friday sales have translated directly into jobs, with casual hours jumping 7.2% in a month What’s happening : Australia’s workforce is expanding as peak season spending fuels hiring across retail, hospitality and seasonal sectors. Why this matters : Businesses are adding hours and staff despite inflation and stagnant interest rates, suggesting stronger-than-expected momentum for 2026. Australia’s labour market has found its spark, and it’s coming from checkout counters, restaurant floors and distribution centres across the country. National employment climbed 6.4% year-on-year in November, according to Employment Hero’s latest Jobs Report, which analyses real-time payroll data from over 1.5 million workers. The monthly gain of 0.9% and quarterly rise of 3.7% mark a sharp reversal from the cautious hiring patterns that defined much of 2025. The catalyst is Black Friday sales and early holiday shopping that translated directly into jobs and hours. “Peak season has lit a spark that the labour market needed,” said Ben Thompson, co-founder and CEO of Employment Hero. “After a long stretch of caution, businesses are hiring again and giving staff more hours. Shoppers showed up in force for early Black Friday sales, and that spending has flowed straight into jobs, particularly for young Australians and casual workers.” Young workers surge ahead Teenagers and young adults are capturing the majority of new opportunities. Employment for 14 to 17-year-olds