The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its labour market data on Thursday. Australia's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.8% in December. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to rise to 5.9%.

The number of employed people in Australia fell by 1,000 in December, beating forecast of a decline by 12,500, after an increase by 75,000 in November. November's figure was revised up from a rise by 71,400.

Full-time employment rose by 17,600 in December, while part-time employment slid by 18,500.

The participation rate decreased to 65.1% in December from 65.3% in November.