The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its labour market data on Thursday. Australia's unemployment rate rose to 6.0% in January from 5.8% in December. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 5.8%.

The number of employed people in Australia fell by 7,900 in January, missing forecast of a rise by 15,000, after a decline by 800 in December. December's figure was revised up from a fall by 1,000.

Full-time employment slid by 40,600 in January, while part-time employment climbed by 32,700.

The participation rate remained unchanged at 65.2% in January.