Australian job market "in spanking good health"

Australia's employment market is in "spanking good health" after experiencing the longest period of job growth in 27 years, an economist at CommSec has said.

Craig James believes the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), which show that employment rose for the 14th month in a row in December, demonstrate the strength of the country's economy.

Some 20,100 more people were in full or part-time employment in December compared with the month before, bringing the total number to 10.6 million. In November unemployment fell to a near 33-year low of 4.3 per cent.

"The Australian job market is in spanking good health," said Mr James. "Not only is the country experiencing the longest period of job gains in 27 years, but unemployment is again edging closer to a landmark three-point-something result."

The figures may encourage more job seekers to look to the Australian market for employment opportunities, particularly skilled workers who are in demand in the country.

Meanwhile Australia's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations said its leading employment indicator rose again in January, suggesting that employment growth will pick up further in the month ahead, Reuters reports.