Sydney - Unemployment in Australia fell to 4.1 per cent in August, figures released Thursday showed.

The buoyant job figures, given high interest rates, high fuel prices and a global financial crisis, were a big surprise for analysts.

The number of extra people in work in August rose nearly three times more than they expected, with growth almost equal in full-time and part-time positions.

"I think it's a reminder that the underlying fundamentals of the economy are strong," Treasurer Wayne Swan said.

"But as everybody understands, we are not immune from the fallout of global events, the slowing of the global economy, which is impacting on the Australian economy," the country's finance minister added. (dpa)