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The number of unemployed rose slightly in the latest jobs data, likely diluting the case for further interest rate hike next month.

The jobless rate rose to 3.7 per cent from 3.5 per cent last month, ticking up against expectations it would hold firm.

About 4300 jobs disappeared from the economy, latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows, defying expectations of a 25,000 increase.

The participation rate sunk 0.1 percentage points to 66.7 per cent.

The tight labour market, characterised by too few workers for the available jobs, has been readily absorbing extra workers from higher migration but the April jobs report suggests the market may have reached saturation point.

St George economist Jameson Coombs said the ability to soak up new supply appeared to be waning, with demand for labour softening just as labour supply from overseas workers hit "fifth gear."

But the solid 2.6 per cent lift in hours worked over the month suggests demand for labour is still strong, with existing employees stepping up to fill the gap.

"This is a potential sign that businesses are shying away from adding headcount given the economic backdrop and are increasing hours instead," Mr Coombs said.

While the uptick in the unemployment rate does signal job losses, ANZ senior economist Adelaide Timbrell said weakening jobs data would give the central bank leeway to pause in June.

Together with a manageable level of wages growth revealed by the statistics bureau on Wednesday, Ms Timbrell said the RBA was unlikely to feel pressured to hike next month.

"However, the unemployment rate is still sufficiently low and wage growth sufficiently rapid that productivity growth and the labour market continue to be concerns for the RBA."

The volatility of the monthly jobs report is also worth noting, with economists warning it could swing back strongly next month.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said rising unemployment was a consequence of higher interest rates and global uncertainty.

"We've expected the unemployment rate to tick up a little bit as it has today but it's still remarkably low given what's coming at us from around the world," he told reporters in Perth.

Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor said it was concerning people were working longer hours.

"On the one hand, employers are needing their workers to work more because they can't fill their vacancies, but on the other hand, Australians are having to work more to make ends meet," he told reporters in Maroochydore.

"And the reason for that is real wages have gone down under Labor."

Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus said the weakening jobs figures should sound alarm bells for the Reserve Bank.

"Forcing unemployment up through relentless interest rate rises hurts real people and businesses," Ms McManus said.

"The RBA must stop pushing workers and the economy off a cliff."

© AAP 2023

Industrial action will escalate in every NSW public hospital until health workers get a pay rise, as a consequence of crumbling moral over stalled wage negotiations.

The Health Services Union has flagged it wants the three per cent public sector wages cap lifted, followed by a 6.5 per cent wage increase before the agreement expires at the end of next month.

Eight weeks into a state Labor government, paramedics and patient transfer officers on Thursday reluctantly imposed a 24-hour ban on transporting patients discharged from hospitals.

Union NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said there would be more industrial action until the issue is resolved.

"We will be holding industrial stoppages right around the state with every hospital ... industrial action will continue and it will not stop," he told reporters in Sydney.

Premier Chris Minns needed to reform all health services awards so they are "fit for purpose for 2023", he said.

"Paramedics in NSW are the highest injured and lowest paid," Mr Hayes said, pointing towards the growing number considering moving interstate to ease cost of living hikes.

"Paramedics can go to Queensland tomorrow and I guarantee they will after the NSW government spent $100,000 training them," he said.

Paramedics in Melbourne earned about 30 per cent more.

"Why wouldn't you cross the border?", Mr Hayes said.

Labor was swept to power in March on the promise of abolishing the public sector wages cap and increased pay for frontline workers.

Mr Minns said he remained committed to removing the wages cap but it was important to do so "in a legislative way".

"We have made progress. We know it's a priority and I'm confident that we can get an agreement," he said.

Mr Hayes said he saw no movement on the issue.

"All pigs are fed and watered and ready to fly. There is no progress," he said.

The first step in negotiations would be lifting the salary cap and then introducing a 6.5 per cent increase in wages.

Mr Minns declined to comment about wage targets.

"I think it's important to do that around the negotiating table," the premier said.

"It still remains our policy to remove the wages cap. We will do it and we're in the midst of negotiations."

Mr Hayes said the problem needs to be addressed urgently.

"It has to happen tonight, Chris. Because these people go home tonight. They see their families tonight. And you can't tell them in six months' time."

© AAP 2023

The New Zealand government will review safety regulations for high-density accommodation in the wake of the fatal Loafers Lodge fire, amid claims the firefighters involved in the blaze lacked resources.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) had one ladder truck available to lift hostel occupants from the top of the building in the Wellington suburb of Newtown after the blaze broke out in the early hours of Tuesday.

In total, 33 trucks and 80 firefighters attended the scene, where at least six people died.

FENZ chief executive Kerry Gregory said firefighters are very raw about the latest incident, flagging an operational review of the service's operations, staffing and fleet.

"Firefighter numbers are not where we need them to be. We have committed to addressing this," he told reporters on Thursday.

"I want to reassure the public that fire and emergency are ready, able and capable of responding."

Mr Gregory rejected claims of a lack of resources, saying the service had enough specialist appliances to respond, while conceding the fleet was ageing.

The death toll from the fire remains at six but is expected to rise when police begin a more methodological search.

"The recovery of those who lost their lives in the fire will be the immediate priority for the team," acting Wellington District Commander Inspector Dion Bennett said.

"We anticipate recovering two of the deceased today and two tomorrow."

Damage inside is extensive, with debris as high as one metre in places.

Police are treating the fire as arson and have a number of people of interest they plan to interview as part of a homicide investigation.

In recent times, the hostel had been used to house low-income Kiwis, a mix of short and long-term tenant, including some New Zealanders deported from Australia and others under corrections orders.

It is not clear of the make-up of residents during the fire, which caused many to jump from windows or crawl through smoke-filled corridors to try and escape.

Police are also reconciling lists of people believed to be at the hostel on the night by accounting for their whereabouts.

There are "less than 20" outstanding people, Insp Bennett said, including the six bodies originally confirmed by FENZ.

There were just over 100 people in the 92-bed facility, described on its website as "Wellington's most convenient and affordable accommodation option".

The blaze has triggered outrage and despair among Wellingtonians, particularly owing to the vulnerable nature of those affected.

Many who survived lost all of their possessions and many have been rendered homeless.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Wednesday said he would task Housing Minister Megan Woods with examining building regulations issues.

"I've already asked officials to give me advice in terms of what we need to do to ensure that buildings are safe for New Zealanders," Dr Woods said.

Loafers Lodge director Greg Mein has defended the maintenance of the building.

"Myself, the management, the family ... of the owner, everyone is just gutted by this. It's just done us in completely," he told reporters.

Mr Main said monthly inspections and a recent annual building warrant of fitness showed "all the services are up to standard and ... everything was a-okay".

© AAP 2023