The Jobless Number That Turns Rate Hikes Into A Household Gamble

Australia's unemployment rate has jumped to 4.5 per cent, and that changes the whole argument about another Reserve Bank rate hike. Alex Mercer looks at why the jobs number matters for mortgage holders, renters, small businesses, and anyone being told to accept pain as policy. Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force April 2026; Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate target table; The Guardian reporting on unemployment and market expectations.