Home topics news Image Credit: Eric Prouzet News News Why Australia’s usually busy December was anything but ordinary Yajush Gupta January 20, 2026 Australia’s job market skipped the Christmas rush. Employment Hero data reveals hours worked fell sharply in December, with young workers taking the biggest hit. Read the full story. What’s Happening : Australia’s job market missed its seasonal spark in December 2025, marking a sharp departure from typical end-of-year trends. Retail and hospitality, sectors that usually drive December demand, recorded a 1.7% monthly drop instead. Why This Matters : December is traditionally a crucial earning month for younger Australians, who rely on increased casual shifts and seasonal income. Australia’s job market went on holiday early in 2025. According to Employment Hero’s December Jobs Report, the usual end-of-year hiring surge never materialised, leaving employers pulling back hours and young workers scrambling. The data paints a picture of caution rather than celebration. Average hours worked fell 1.5% month-on-month, 1.0% quarter-on-quarter and 1.3% year-on-year. Compare that to December 2024, when hours were largely positive, rising 0.9% month-on-month and 1.1% year-on-year. The decline is especially stark in sectors built on seasonal demand. Even retail and hospitality, which typically drive the festive season surge, recorded a 1.7% month-on-month decline. Casual employment continued to rise on a year-on-year basis, but average casual hours fell sharply, suggesting shorter rosters rather than fewer workers. Overall employment declined 0.2% month-on-month despite being up 6.5% year-on-year, whilst median wages rose across the board. Yet this headline figure masks