SYDNEY, May 16 (Reuters) - Australian employment rose by more than expected in April, while the jobless rate climbed as the growth in workforce outpaced job creation, a sign the labour market is loosening gradually.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed net employment rose 38,500 in April from March. Market forecasts had been for a bounce of 23,700. Full-time employment dipped by 6,100 in April.
The jobless rate rose to 4.1%, from an upwardly revised 3.9%, and above market forecasts of 3.9%. The participation rate ticked up to 66.7%, while hours worked was flat in April. (Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
