Millions of Australians don't work, with recent data (late 2025) showing around 7 million people are not in the labour force, meaning they aren't employed or actively looking, including many retired, caring for family (often children), or unable to work. While 13.4 million were employed and around 600,000 unemployed (late 2025), a larger group (about 5.5-7 million) are outside the workforce, with roughly 3.4 million of those not intending to work, highlighting a significant non-working population beyond just the unemployed.
Labour Force, Australia
In trend terms, in November 2025: unemployment rate decreased to 4.3%. participation rate remained at 66.8%. employment increased to 14,677,700.
As of late 2024/early 2025 estimates, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) generally ranks as the country with the highest overall unemployment rate, around 34-34.4%, followed closely by South Africa (over 30%) and Djibouti, with many African nations and conflict-affected regions like Yemen, Libya, and Somalia showing extremely high figures. Youth unemployment is even higher in places like Djibouti, with rates exceeding 70%.
Melbourne, Australia, 11 June 2025 – Despite employment reaching a record high in 2024, half of Australian workers (50%) are living paycheck to paycheck, according to ADP Research's People at Work 2025 report.
For more information about the concepts and statistical methodology used in these two surveys, see the Technical Note. Both the unemployment rate, at 4.4 percent, and the number of unemployed people, at 7.5 million, changed little in December. (See table A-1.)
Gen Z struggles to find jobs due to a mix of economic shifts, AI disrupting entry-level roles, and evolving workplace expectations, facing fewer opportunities for new grads, demands for immediate contribution, and a perceived lack of soft skills despite digital fluency, leading to high underemployment and frustration with a job market that doesn't align with traditional career paths or offers high pressure without adequate support.
The evidence is that on average, after 21 weeks of unsuccessful job search, these unemployed (not yet long-term unemployed), exit the workforce.
A low income in Australia varies, but generally involves earning below the median (around $1,425/week in Aug 2025) or below specific government thresholds, like the $948/week ($24,95/hr) National Minimum Wage (as of July 2025) for full-time work, with lower thresholds applying for benefits like the Low Income Health Care Card (around $800/week for singles). For tax purposes, incomes under $37,500-$45,000 might qualify for offsets, while affordable housing eligibility depends heavily on household size, with singles needing under $52,100 annually for low-cost options.
While exact real-time figures vary, estimates from around 2025 suggest approximately 400,000 to over 500,000 Australians held over $1 million in superannuation, with about 2.5% of the population reaching this milestone as of mid-2021, a figure that has likely grown with strong investment returns, though many more hold significant balances and millions are projected to reach this goal by retirement, especially men.
Countries with Best Unemployment Benefits
Key Takeaways
According to ABS data, just 2.61 million Aussies – or about 10 per cent of the population – earn $100,000 or more a year. Many people will never reach a six-figure income in their working lives.
Many jobs in Australia pay over $100,000 annually, including roles in IT, Healthcare (like Surgeons, Dentists, Psychologists), Engineering (Mining, Aerospace, Building), Construction Management, Finance (Accountants, Managers), Law, Sales (Business Development, Account Managers), and specialized trades (Pilots, Drillers, Electricians), often requiring degrees, certifications, or significant experience and skill, though some technical or trade roles can reach this income without a university degree through vocational training.
Put aside just $13.70 per day, and at the end of the year you'll have $5,000; double that to $27.39 daily and you'll have $10,000 by year-end—and that doesn't include the interest you may earn. You can save money by making a budget, automating savings, reducing discretionary spending and seeking discounts.
A good goal is to be debt-free by retirement age, either 65 or earlier if you want. If you have other goals, such as taking a sabbatical or starting a business, you should make sure that your debt isn't going to hold you back.
The average Australian full-time worker is now earning more than $2000 a week for the first time in history. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the average ordinary full-time weekly earnings for adults hit $2011.40 before tax in May.
Here are some of the lowest-paid jobs in Australia:
1: Shampooer. The worst-paying job on the list is shampooers. They work in hair salons washing and rinsing customers' hair. Mean hourly wages are $14.07 and mean annual wages are $29,260.
You may qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. If eligible, you can receive up to 26 weeks of benefits.
Add them to the roughly 7 million who are officially unemployed and the total num- ber of jobless is 109 million -- 40% of adults. 3 Of the 164 million who do have jobs, 27 million work only part-time or seasonally.
Unemployment by Country 2025