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AAP
AAP
Politics
Poppy Johnston

Second, third jobs become the new normal

A record number of Australians are working in more than one job, new quarterly data shows. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Workers are taking advantage of the competitive labour market to make some extra cash, with 900,000 people working two or more jobs.

The number of people holding multiple roles hit record levels in the June quarter, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.

Many people actually work more than two jobs, the labour force data revealed.

"Along with the 4.3 per cent increase in the number of multiple job holders, the number of jobs worked as secondary jobs also increased, by 5.5 per cent, and passed one million for the first time," ABS head of labour statistics Lauren Ford said.

"This highlights that some people work more than two jobs at the same time."

CommSec's Craig James said the extra work was helping to keep spending elevated.

"One reason that people can continue to spend is that a record number have a second job or, inelegantly defined, 'side hustle'," he said.

"One reason more people have second jobs is because the jobs are there - not being filled by others," he added.

Mr James said people were also taking on second jobs out of necessity as cost of living pressures grew.

While households have so far proved fairly resilient to rising interest rate and inflationary pressures, spending indicators are starting to react when adjusted for inflation.

Higher prices fed into the minor 0.9 per cent monthly rise in CommBank's Household Spending Intentions Index, for example, but several discretionary categories, such as home-buying and travel, dropped off.

Elsewhere, moderating electricity prices led a fall in business turnover for the electricity, gas, water and waste industry.

Electricity, gas and waste fell 18.9 per cent for the month, according to ABS data, but business turnover in the sector remains 27.2 per cent higher compared to September 2021.

"The 18.9 per cent decrease in September partly reflected moderation in wholesale electricity prices," the ABS explained.

Six of 13 sectors reported a lift in the measure, with higher prices likely contributing to some growth in turnover.

The arts and recreation sector saw the sharpest monthly increase in business turnover, lifting 9.4 per cent in September.

But all industries reported strong year on year increases as the COVID-19 recovery continues.

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