Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the latest employment figures for December month as follows:

• Employment Change 64.8K (Reuters poll: 30.0K), prior 366.1K.
• Unemployment rate +4.2 pct, s/adj (Reuters poll: +4.5%), prior +4.6%.
• Full Time Employment 41.5K versus +128.3k prior.
• Participation Rate matched +66.1 pct s/adj prior figures (Reuters poll: +66.2 pct).

Following the data, AUD/USD refreshes intraday top to 0.7230 while breaking the immediate resistance line on the 15-minute chart.

AUD/USD: 15-minute chart

AUD/USD: Daily chart

On the daily basis, the quote extends bounce off the seven-week-old support line, suggesting further advances towards the 100-SMA level of 0.7280. However, any further upside will be challenged by the monthly peak of 0.7315.

Alternatively, pullback moves remain elusive beyond the stated support line of 0.7177. Adding to the downside filter is the monthly ascending trend line, near 0.7155.

Key notes

AUD/USD retreats towards 0.7200 ahead of Aussie employment, PBOC

About the Employment Change

The Employment Change released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics is a measure of the change in the number of employed people in Australia. Generally speaking, a rise in this indicator has positive implications for consumer spending which stimulates economic growth. Therefore, a high reading is seen as positive (or bullish) for the AUD, while a low reading is seen as negative (or bearish).

About the Unemployment Rate

The Unemployment Rate released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics is the number of unemployed workers divided by the total civilian labour force. If the rate hikes indicate a lack of expansion within the Australian labour market. As a result, a rise leads to weaken the Australian economy. A decrease of the figure is seen as positive (or bullish) for the AUD, while an increase is seen as negative (or bearish).