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The number of Australians holding more than one job fell for the second consecutive quarter, dropping 1.2% to 1 million in the three months to June, according to new labour figures released Friday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The ABS said 12,200 secondary jobs were lost in the June quarter, following a larger fall of 45,500 in March. The decline marks the first back-to-back quarterly drop in six years.
“June quarter 2025 was the first time we have seen two consecutive quarterly declines in secondary jobs since June quarter 2019,” said Sean Crick, ABS head of labour statistics. “As a result, there are now 40,100 less multiple job-holders compared to six months ago.”
The proportion of Australians working multiple jobs slipped by 0.1 percentage points to 6.4%.
Main Jobs and Hours Worked Rise
Despite the decline in secondary jobs, overall filled jobs increased by 0.2% to 16 million in the June quarter, driven by a 0.3% increase in main jobs. That added 35,300 positions across the economy.
Hours worked rose 0.3% to 6 billion for the quarter, lifting 1.6% through the year. Crick said the increase aligned with growth in overall employment.
“The growth in hours worked and main jobs drove an increase of 0.1% in average hours worked per filled job,” he said.
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Demand for Workers Stabilising
Labour demand rebounded in the June quarter after a fall in March. Job vacancies grew by 9,600, or 2.9%, lifting the proportion of vacant jobs to 2.1%.
This rate has now stabilised between 2.0% and 2.1% across the 2024-25 financial year, the ABS said.
Non-Market Sector Leads Job Growth
Public administration, education, and health drove most of the annual rise in jobs. The ABS said non-market industries added 168,400 filled jobs over the year, a 3.6% increase, accounting for about 62% of all growth.
By contrast, market-sector industries — including retail, construction and manufacturing — grew by 103,100 jobs, or 0.9%, accounting for 38% of annual gains.
Hours worked followed a similar trend. Non-market industries accounted for 60% of the 1.6% annual increase, while the market sector contributed 40%.
Private employers delivered three-quarters of annual job growth, with private-sector filled jobs rising 1.5% — or 205,300 positions — compared with 2.8% growth in public-sector employment, which added 66,600 jobs.
Secondary Jobs Hit Across Industries
Secondary employment fell across much of the economy. Thirteen of 19 industries recorded quarterly declines, the ABS reported.
Accommodation and food services saw the steepest drop, losing 5,000 secondary jobs in the June quarter. Professional, scientific and technical services shed 3,600, while agriculture, forestry and fishing fell by 2,100.
Eleven industries reported two straight quarters of declines. Education and training posted the largest six-month loss, with secondary jobs down 13,400 since December.
Context and Trends
The ABS said the declines in secondary jobs contrast with broader labour strength, as main jobs, hours worked, and vacancies all grew in the quarter.
The agency noted that while multiple job-holding had grown steadily in recent years, the June data showed the sharpest sustained decline since before the pandemic.
The Labour Account release, published quarterly, is the ABS’s key measure of filled jobs, including public and private sector breakdowns and market versus non-market industries.
Crick said the report offers insight into both job creation and the stability of work arrangements. “The fall in secondary jobs highlights the pressure on workers taking on multiple roles, while the overall rise in main jobs shows underlying demand remains strong,” he said.
Industry Breakdown
Accommodation and food services: Secondary jobs fell by 5,000 in June.
Professional, scientific and technical services: Down 3,600.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing: Down 2,100.
Education and training: Largest six-month decline, down 13,400.
Other industries recording back-to-back falls included retail, construction, and transport, though at smaller levels.
Labour Market Outlook
Economists said the ABS data indicates that while overall employment is growing, reliance on secondary jobs is easing. This may reflect stronger conditions in main jobs, increased hours worked, and stabilising vacancies.
The ABS will publish its next Labour Force Survey later this month, providing updated unemployment and participation rates.
About the Labour Account
The ABS said the Labour Account complements other data such as the monthly Labour Force Survey and annual Jobs in Australia release. It provides the most comprehensive quarterly breakdown of filled jobs, hours worked, and multiple job-holding by industry, sector, and market grouping.
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