Jobless rate expected to remain unchanged
Australia's jobless rate is expected to improve slightly or remain the same when official figures for December are released on Thursday.
In November, there was an unexpected jump in the unemployment rate to 5.1 per cent from five per cent, due to a lift in the participation rate.
Westpac said the participation rate was expected to slightly fall for December, to 65.6 per cent, driving a small dip in employment but the jobless rate would remain unchanged at 5.1 per cent.
NAB has predicted both a steady unemployment rate and participation rate, on the back of at least 25,000 jobs created over the month.
However, there was a slight chance of a five per cent figure.
Capital Economics' Marcel Thieliant expects the rate to remain at 5.1 per cent.
