Unemployment at 31-year low

Australian employment climbed in March and the jobless rate fell to a 31-year low as builders and retailers hired more workers, pushing up the currency on expectations the central bank may raise interest rates as soon as next month.

Employment rose 10,500 after gaining a revised 23,200 in February.

The jobless rate dropped to 4.5 per cent from 4.6 per cent, the Bureau of Statistics said.