Home topics workplace hr-and-staff Economy News Staff Economy Unemployment rate jumps 0.2% to 5.4% on record participation rate: ABS David Olsen November 11, 2010 The Australian unemployment rate has jumped to 5.4 percent in October, up 0.2 percent on the previous month, despite an additional 29,700 jobs being created in October, the Australian Bureau of Statistics announced today. The Australian economy remains in very robust shape despite the increase in the unemployment rate, with the ABS reporting a record high for the labour force participation in October of 65.9 percent, a rise of 0.3 percentage points from September. The increase in the labour force participation rate is an indication of strength in the Australian economy, with many who had previously not considered working returning to work, or returning to looking for work due to the growing demand for employees and increasing number of job ads, up 36.1 percent on the same time last year. ANZ Chief Economist Warren Hogan had tipped the unemployment rate to dip below 5 percent by the end of the year, today’s figure may mean sub 5 percent unemployment is a way off yet. “The pick up in job advertisements in recent months also suggests the unemployment rate is now likely to fall below 5 percent before year-end. This will provide solid support for Australian households. But it also has potential consequences for Australia’s already relatively high rate of inflation.” he said The ABS reported the number of people employed increased by 29,700 people to 11.356