Australia employment rises more than expected in March

[SYDNEY] Australian employment climbed more than expected in March, led by full-time roles, suggesting the central bank has more time to assess whether the economy needs further stimulus.

While unemployment has been hovering around 5 per cent, it's failed to tighten the labour market sufficiently to drive the faster wage growth policy makers are seeking to return inflation to its 2-3 per cent target.

The jobs market has been a key factor in the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) resistance to resuming interest-rate cuts after a 2-1/2 year hiatus. It's waiting to see how the current disconnect between strong hiring and low unemployment and slowing economic growth plays out.

Should employment hold up, the RBA will be able to maintain its room for manoeuvre, particularly given the government and its main opposition are offering fiscal stimulus via tax cuts, cash rebates and additional spending ahead of a May election.

However, if employment shows consistent weakness - one poor reading is likely to be insufficient given the data's volatility - then calls for easing will grow much louder.

Money markets are pricing in a a rate cut as a done deal; tumbling house prices in Sydney and Melbourne have spooked households and cooled consumption, slowing the economy. The Fed's abandonment of further rate hikes only adds to the case.

BLOOMBERG