The Australian unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 5.1 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in August, according to official data released today.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported the number of people employed, rose by 30,900 people to 11.272 million (seasonally adjusted).

Analysts had predicted it would decline l to 5.2 per cent.

The data show that 53,100 full-time jobs were created in August - the biggest monthly increase in more than two years.

That was partially offset by a decrease in part-time employment, down 22,100 people to 3.352 million.

According to the data, the number of people unemployed decreased by 22,500 people to 607,700.

Seasonally adjusted monthly aggregate hours worked series increased 14.8 million hours to 1,594.1 million hours, and the participation rate in August decreased 0.1 percentage point to 65.4 per cent.

The latest jobs data came the same week the Reserve Bank of Australia kept interest rates on hold for the fourth consecutive month, amid positive second-quarter economic growth.