Payroll jobs growth slows to 0.2pc in first half of November

Australian jobs data showed a gain of 0.2 per cent in the fortnight to November 13, down from the 1.5 per cent gain in the prior two-week period, according to ABS data released on Thursday.

The gains come after a burst of new jobs as Sydney and Melbourne exited lockdowns which led to a “fast recovery” in the second half of October, according to Bjorn Jarvis, head of labour statistics for the ABS.

Jobs in Victoria rose 0.8 per cent, while the ACT saw just 0.3 per cent growth and New South Wales registered a small 0.1 per cent dip in payroll jobs.