The unemployment rate has jumped to the highest level in more than two years, despite the creation of more full-time jobs.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 5.4 per cent in September from 5.1 per cent in August, Australian Bureau of Statistics data released on Thursday reveals.

It was the highest rate since April 2010 and worse than the 5.2 per cent forecast by economists.

However, the number of people in work rose by 14,500 in September, better than the expected increase of 5000.

Full-time employment soared by 32,100, and the number of part-time workers fell by 17,700.

More people sought employment in the month, with the participation rate rising to 65.2 per cent from 65 per cent.

The unemployment rate in the nation’s most populous state of NSW rose from 4.9 per cent to 5.2 per cent.

It increased to 6.3 per cent on Queensland and jumped to 7.3 per cent in Tasmania.

However, in South Australia the jobless rate fell to 5.6 per cent, from 5.7 per cent.

The rate was unchanged in Western Australia at four per cent, as it was in Victoria at 5.6 per cent.

The ACT jumped to 3.8 per cent unemployment, while the Northern Territory recorded no change at 3.9 per cent.