Numbers released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed unemployment hit 6.9 per cent in September, with a further 30,000 jobs being removed.

Two-thirds of the reduction was in full-time work, falling by 20,100 while part-time roles reduced by 9,400.

Over the year to September 2020, employment has decreased by 2.8 per cent or 358,000 people.

The figures showed that in September around 400,000 people entered the workforce while 350,000 left.

ABS head of labour statistics Bjorn Jarvis noted the impact of lockdowns and business struggles on the labour market.

“Employment in Victoria decreased by 36,000, following a fall of 37,000 in August. Hours worked in the state fell by a further 2.1 per cent, following the 4.6 per cent fall in August.”

The underemployment rate increased by 0.1 per cent to 11.4 per cent, 2.6 per cent above March. Under-utilisation – which combines underemployment and unemployment – also rose 0.2 per cent to 18.3 per cent, remaining 4.3 per cent higher than in March. 

“The data also showed that hours worked rose by 0.5 per cent, following a small decrease in August (0.1 per cent). However, hours worked were 5.1 per cent below March,” he said.