Australia employment falls in August, missing forecasts

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian employment unexpectedly fell in August as full-time positions dropped back after a sharp rise the previous month, while the jobless rate held steady in a sign the labour market was slowly softening.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed net employment fell by 5,400 in August from July, when it rose a revised 26,500. That was far below market forecasts of a 21,500 gain, while full-time jobs dropped 40,900.

The jobless rate stayed at 4.2%, as expected, while the participation rate ticked down to 66.8%. Hours worked dipped 0.4%, to reverse a gain in July.

(Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)