Mango growers fear premium fruit will be left to rot
Mango growers fear changes to the working holiday visa program will lead to the coveted fruit rotting on trees, as a shortage of backpacker pickers looms.
labor market
Bad news comes in twos: cash rate and CPI set to rise
Australian mortgage holders can expect more borrowing pain when the Reserve Bank board meets, with an interest rate hike almost universally anticipated.
Light shone on Reserve Bank’s gloomy economic outlook
Treasury's productivity assumption has been described as "unrealistically optimistic" but the Reserve Bank's might be too downbeat, an economist says.
Jobs data last piece in puzzle for Reserve Bank board
Unemployment data is not expected to deter the Reserve Bank from hiking interest rates for a fourth time in 2026 when it meets later in September.
Migration shift a ‘terrible signal’ for luring talent
Whether or not they work, adjustments to the migration system are damaging Australia's brand, advocates warn.
Labor’s visa detention stance compared with Trump’s ICE
Rounding up people who have overstayed their visa into detention centres has been blasted as missing the mark and copying harsh immigration tactics in the US.
Surprise jobs jump gives RBA room to raise rates
A larger-than expected rise in employment will not ease Reserve Bank fears about inflation as rising oil prices compound cost pressures.
Jobs data tops economic agenda as Iran war re-escalates
Resilient jobs data is a bright spot for Australia's economy but the longer the Middle East conflict drags on, the worse the prospect for growth and inflation.
breaking_news
economy, business and finance
employment
inflation and deflation
interest rate
labor market
labour
productivity
unemployment
Strong jobs figures clock on for future rate rise shift
More than 40,000 jobs have been added to Australia's economy to exceed expectations, but slowing growth could ease the Reserve Bank's inflation fears.
Jobless jump, Iran war shoot down fears of rate rise
The big four banks are tipping the Reserve Bank to hold interest rates steady at its next meeting after the jobless rate surged and as the Iran war hits home.
Job market yet to feel impact of Iran war, rate hikes
Australia's relatively low jobless rate has reinforced the Reserve Bank's view the labour market is still tight, adding to the case for more rate hikes.
RBA to sift through jobs data as world watches Hormuz
The labour market will be top of the economic agenda in the coming week, while speaking engagements from central bank officials will be closely studied.
Consumer spending and confidence in the spotlight
Analysts and governments will pore over latest economic data this week for more insight into the devastating impact of soaring fuel prices on the nation.
RBA to air board’s disagreement in meeting minutes
Central bank watchers will get to peak into the Reserve Bank board room as minutes of a meeting that split 5-4 in favour of an interest rate hike are released.
Big bank is cutting 200 teller, personal banking roles
Westpac is cutting 200 customer-facing roles in its network but says it will try to keep as many workers as possible through retraining and redeployment.
economic indicator
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
employment
labor market
macro economics
politics (general)
Nation on notice as signs point to growing jobless rate
Australians are being warned about possible further rises in unemployment after a shock jobless rate jump that has strengthened the case to cut interest rates.
All signs point to jobs market holding firm in new data
Forward indicators suggest Australia's unusually low unemployment rate will stay steady in fresh data set to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The $45,000 golden prescription to heal rural health
A country town is offering $45,000 and a "concierge" service to lure city doctors to the bush, as strategies to train rural GPs show early signs of success.
AI in sights to build up nation’s sliding productivity
It takes an Australian worker twice as long to build a home as it did 50 years ago, making it all the more urgent to fix declining productivity growth.
Why the RBA should rethink key inflation assumption
The strength of Australia's labour market has kept the Reserve Bank from cutting interest rates but growing evidence suggests it's not as crucial as thought.
Woolies rushes to deck the shelves with Christmas stock
Woolworths is counting the cost of a 17-day strike that took millions of dollars from their bottom line and left shelves empty in the lead-up to Christmas.
Aged care workers get big pay bump in ‘win for dignity’
Australia's aged care workers are celebrating a substantial pay rise after a years-long campaign their union says will usher a "new era of decency and dignity".
Unexpected jobs surge leaves unemployment figure steady
Higher interest rates are yet to make a serious dent in Australia's jobs market, with a larger-than-expected surge in employment recorded.
Jobless figures ‘final nail in coffin’ for rates hike
Australia's unemployment rate rose to 3.7 per cent in July, fuelling expectations the cash rate could remain on hold in a relief for home owners.
Aust warned of complacency as AI infiltrates workplaces
Artificial intelligence will likely have a significant impact on labour markets regardless of whether Australian companies are ready to embrace the technology.
Strong labour market puts more heat on interest rates
The jobless rate has fallen back and employment has jumped by much more than expected, bolstering the case for more interest rate hikes.
Jobs market still strong but signs it’s cooling off
The tight jobs market is gradually loosening its grip due to higher interest rates and gloomy global economic conditions.
Labor campaign offers ‘fresh start’ with help from Albo
Labor has offered a "fresh start" for NSW as Anthony Albanese joined an election campaign launch in Sydney, three weeks out from the state heading to the polls.
Jobs market weakens as economic headwinds loom
Official labour force data shows the unemployment rate lifting unexpectedly but there's still plenty of heat left in the jobs market.
Australia needs to recruit thousands more tech workers
Australia will need 1.2 million tech workers by 2030 but is not training enough and already facing a shortfall, Tech Council CEO Kate Pounder warns.
Hopes city kids will set sights on farming
With thousands of jobs available in agriculture but not enough university students to snap them up, researchers and educators are trying to find solutions.