Latest employment figures unlikely to lift confidence

In a week when Treasurer Joe Hockey told would-be home buyers to get a good paying job, the latest employment figures will indicate how easy that might be.

Economists expect Thursday's labour force report will show the number of people in employment grew by 10,000 in May, but not by enough to lower the jobless rate, which is forecast to stay at 6.2 percent for another month.

Unemployment touched a 12-year high of 6.3 percent in January, while last month's budget forecast it rising to 6.5 percent next year.

Soft labour market conditions are a lingering concern among consumers and one factor behind the quick reversal in confidence readings after their initial post-budget surge.