Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday show the unemployment rate held steady at 3.6 per cent during August, after peaking at 5 per cent in October 2014.

The ACT has the second lowest trend rate in Australia behind the Northern Territory at 3.5 per cent, which recorded a slight decline in August.

The figures, which have been welcomed by ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, show Canberra is well below the national unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent.

"The ACT budget update released today demonstrates that the ACT labour market is in a healthy position – with 3500 jobs created in Canberra in 2015-16 – exceeding previous growth estimates," Mr Barr said.

The ACT also recorded the strongest jobs growth at 0.4 per cent followed by Victoria at 0.3 per cent.

Nationally, the economy lost 3900 workers in seasonably adjusted terms. Full-time employment increased by 11,500 although part-time workers were lost.

Tasmania and South Australia continue to have the highest unemployment rates at 6.7 and 6.6 per cent respectively.

National Australian Bank economist David de Garis said the market would be split on whether the figures were positive or negative.

"At the end of the day, it is the unemployment rate that counts but certainly we have seen employment numbers a bit softer," he said.

"This won't change the Reserve Bank's view on the economy."