44,000 jobs were added in May, beating a 30,000 consensus forecast, while Australia’s unemployment rate held at 4.0%.
The stronger print, alongside a higher 66.8% participation rate, reinforced signs of a tight labor market despite elevated interest rates.
AUD/USD stayed near $0.6660 after the release, suggesting traders had partly priced in a solid result but still found support in the data.
The figures reduce pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut its 4.35% cash rate soon, with inflation still running above its 2%–3% target band.
For the Australian dollar, resilient domestic jobs data helps offset worries about slowing growth in China, though bigger gains may need clearer RBA guidance or a weaker US dollar.