Australians ‘scrambling’ for second jobs to deal with rising mortgage repayments and cost of living - kaiyun

Latest data also shows unemployment at highest level since the pandemic, which analysts doubt will stop RBA hiking interest rates

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Australians are “scrambling” to find more work to cover soaring living expenses and prepare for higher mortgage costs, economists say, after new data showed unemployment ticked up to its highest rate since the pandemic.

The key jobless figure lifted to 4.6% in August, from 4.5% the month before, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.