More than 50,000 new jobs were created in Australia in January as the unemployment rate dropped to 5.3%, official data showed on Thursday, defying forecasts.
The January unemployment rate was down from 5.5% in December and was the lowest since February 2009, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said. Analysts had forecast the figure to actually rise to 5.6%.
The rate was underpinned by the 52,700 new jobs added to the labor market, the biggest monthly hike since December 2006 and significantly higher than the expected increase of 15,000.
Following the release of the data, Australia's Deputy prime minister said it proved the country's "strength and resilience" during the global downturn, which it weathered as the only advanced economy to avoid recession, AFP reported.
"Obviously we want to get Australians back to work," the French news agency quoted Julia Gillard as telling reporters. "We will be continuing to provide economic stimulus to support jobs."