SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian employment jumped in October as firms took on more full-time workers, pulling the jobless rate down from a four-year high and calming fears the labour market was slowing sharply.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed net employment rose 42,200 in October from September, when it increased 12,700. That was far above market forecasts of a 20,000 gain, while full-time jobs rose 55,300.

The jobless rate eased back to 4.3% from 4.5%, which had been the highest reading since November 2021. The participation rate held steady at 67%, while hours worked rose another solid 0.5%.

(Reporting by Stella Qiu; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

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