The Australian unemployment rate remained at 5.1 per cent in September, as announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today.

The ABS reported the number of people employed increased by 49,500 people to 11.325 million, seasonally adjusted, in September. The rise in employment was driven by an increase in full-time employment, up 55,800 people to 7.985 million, that was partially offset by a decrease in part-time employment, down 6,300 people to 3.340 million.

The number of people unemployed increased by 2,400 people to 611,000 in September, reported the ABS.

The ABS seasonally adjusted monthly aggregate hours worked series showed a fall in September, down 1.0 million hours to 1,594.1 million hours.

The ABS reported the participation rate in September increased 0.2 percentage points to 65.6 per cent.