The Australian Bureau of Statistics has announced the latest unemployment rate figure, and the number is further evidence of the country’s increasingly healthy economy.

The jobless rate fell to 5.5% in December, hitting an eight-month low and surprising analysts who were predicting a rise.

The 27,900 new part time positions filled in December, along with 7300 new full time jobs found, helped Australia reach this number.

"Today's figures provide further evidence of how Australia has outperformed virtually every other advanced economy during the global recession," commented Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

The median forecast was for Australia to reach an unemployment rate of 5.8%, but the country performed much better than expected. In fact, Australia hasn’t had such a number since April 2009.

More jobs are set to be created as the country prepares itself for big projects.

Source: Working in Australia