SENATOR DEAN SMITH
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING
LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
10 July 2026
RECORD NUMBER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIANS SEEKING EXTRA WORK AS COST-OF LIVING PRESSURES GROW
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force data shows 76,400 Western Australians were looking for more hours of work in May 2026 – the highest number since November 2020 and an increase of 12,500 people since January this year.
The figures reveal more Western Australians are seeking additional work to keep up with rising household costs after 3 interest rate rises this year, adding to growing evidence that Labor’s cost-of-living crisis is placing increasing pressure on family budgets.
Western Australia’s seasonally adjusted underemployment rate has increased from 3.8 per cent in January 2025 to 4.7 per cent in May 2026—a increase of almost 24 per cent in just sixteen months.
While Western Australia’s economy may appear strong on the surface, the latest ABS figures show more households are struggling underneath, with an increasing number of workers unable to secure enough hours to keep pace with rising mortgage repayments, grocery bills, insurance costs, rents and energy prices.
The deterioration comes on top of recent OECD and Deloitte Access Economics reports showing Australians have experienced one of the largest declines in living standards across the developed world while the economy enters its weakest sustained period of growth since the early 1990s recession.
Together, the ABS, OECD and Deloitte findings paint an increasingly concerning picture of an economy where more Australians are working but falling behind, real wages continue to go backwards, and more workers are seeking additional hours simply to make ends meet.
The latest labour market data also comes ahead of the Reserve Banks next monetary policy decision, with households continuing to face persistent inflation, elevated mortgage repayments and weak economic growth.
While the Albanese Government continues to point to headline employment figures, the latest ABS data demonstrates that the quality and sufficiency of work is deteriorating, with more workers seeking additional hours to support themselves and their families.
These figures reinforce concerns that Labor’s high-spending, inflationary policies have failed to deliver stronger living standards or more secure employment opportunities for Australian families.
Key figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics:
- Since January 2026, the number of Western Australians seeking more hours of work has increased by 12,500 people, rising from 63,900 to 76,400.
- In May 2026, 40,800 Western Australian women, and 35,600 men were seeking more hours of work- the highest figures since October 2020 and November 2020 respectively.
- Western Australia’s underemployment rate increased from 3.8 per cent to 4.7 per cent in May 2026- an increase of almost 24 per cent.
- Underemployment has risen for four consecutive months, from 4.2 per cent in February to 4.7 per cent in May 2026.
Key findings from the OECD Employment Outlook 2026
- Since early 2021, Australia’s real hourly wages have fallen by around 5 per cent, one of the largest declines across the OECD,
- Australia was one of only 11 OECD countries where the real minimum wage declined between April 2025 and April 2026.
Key findings from Deloitte Access Economics Business Outlook, June Quarter 2026
- Australia’s economy is forecast to grow by just 3 per cent in 2026-27, with the longest stretch of sub-2 per cent growth since the early 1990s recession.
- Headline inflation is expected to remain above 4 per cent for the rest of the calendar year, while households with an average mortgage are paying around $350 more each month following this year’s interest rate increases.
Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith:
“These figures show that while more Western Australians may have a job, too many cannot get the hours they need to keep up with Labor’s cost-of-living crisis.”
“More than 76,000 Western Australians are now looking for extra hours of work, the highest number because household budgets are being crushed by rising costs and higher interest rates.”
“The OECD says Australians have suffered one of the biggest falls in living standards in the developed world, Deloitte says economic growth is the weakest in decades, and now the ABS shows more workers cannot get enough work.”
“Headline employment figures mean little when more Australians are underemployed, real wages are going backwards and families are falling further behind.”
“Ahead of the Reserve Bank’s next interest rate decision, these figures are another reminder that Australian households remain under enormous financial pressure after more than four years of Labor.”
“After more than four years in office, the Albanese Government can no longer blame anyone else for weaker growth, higher inflation, falling living standards and a labour market that is leaving more Australians short of work.”