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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Business
Peter Hannam

Australia’s official unemployment rate predicted to fall below 4% as staff shortages bite

Staff wanted sign in window
Businesses are struggling to find staff despite offering higher wages than usual, says Bill Drakopoulos of Sydney Restaurant Group. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Australia’s official jobless rate could drop below 4% as soon as Thursday, market economists predict, as labour shortages force some restaurants to limit services, and recruiters dangle hefty pay increases to lure talent.

The nation’s unemployment rate will sink as low as 3.8% when the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports labour data for March, economists say. That would be the lowest rate since 1974.

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