Australia employment slides 39,300 in September, jobless at 4.7%

SYDNEY, Oct 15 (Reuters) — Australian employment unexpectedly fell in September, data showed on Thursday, while the unemployment rate held at a five-year high, leading investors to pare back wagers on another hike in interest rates. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed net employment slid 39,300 in September from August, when it rose a downwardly revised 29,300. Analysts had forecast a rise of around 20,000, though full-time positions did climb by 34,400 in September. The jobless rate stayed at 4.7%, with the previous month revised up from an initial 4.6% reading. The participation rate dipped to 66.8%, while hours worked rose 0.1% and the underemployment edged up to 6.3%. (Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Christopher Cushing) ((Wayne.Cole@thomsonreuters.com; 612 9171 7144; Reuters Messaging: wayne.cole.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)