Western Australia has recorded a positive result in its unemployment numbers, recording the biggest uptake in new jobs around the country in May alongside South Australia.
Western Australia's unemployment dropped to 5.5 per cent, down from 5.9 per cent in April. In May 934,100 people in the state were in full-time employment, reaching its highest level since May 2015.
There are still more women without jobs in Western Australia with an unemployment rate of 5.8 per cent compared to 5.3 per cent of men.
The Bureau of Statistics latest Labor Force report released on Thursday shows the unemployment rate fell nationally to 5.5 per cent, its lowest level since February 2013, as 42,000 new jobs were created nationwide.
The strong jobs creation around Australia was all in full-time employment, with 52,100 full-time positions being added to the economy while 10,100 part-time jobs fell away.
The data, which beat expectations of a flat rate of 5.7 per cent, buoyed the Australian dollar, which jumped more than a third of a cent to US76.27¢, nudging a two-month high.
The back-to-back jump in job numbers signals the labour market may be exiting a slow grind that's been reflected by stagnant wages and fewer hours.
The economy is adjusting to the end of a resource boom and the central bank has cut its benchmark rate to a record-low 1.5 per cent in order to encourage firms to borrow and hire.
CommSec chief economist Craig James said the Reserve Bank of Australia wouldn't be in a rush to lift rates, but rate cuts "could now be taken off the table".
"It's hard to see the doomsayers finding too many negatives in the latest jobs report. Even the underutilisation rate fell sharply in the latest quarter," Mr James said.
"More jobs and more hours worked means more spending and more momentum for the economy. This is a result to be celebrated by consumers and businesses alike."
- with wires and Fran Rimrod