The data land days before the Reserve Bank of Australia's 29 September meeting, where a rate increase is widely expected, so a result near or above forecasts would do little to shift near-term pricing but could firm expectations for further tightening in November. A second straight fall in employment, or a jump in unemployment, would challenge the case for a follow-up hike and could weigh on the Australian dollar and short-dated bond yields. With the forecast range spanning 10,000 to 47,000, the scope for surprise is wide in both directions. Traders are also likely to weigh the release against the September flash PMI, which pointed to the steepest fall in private sector employment since 2020.---Earlier:Australia flash PMI: growth slows to Q3 low as factories contract and firms cut jobsRBA governor Bullock flags inflation risks as higher neutral rates come into focus---Australia's labour market is expected to shrug off July's stumble, but a slowing trend and a hawkish RBA make Thursday's numbers more than a routine check-up.Summary:Australia's August labour force data are due at 11.30am Sydney time on Thursday 24 September (0130 GMT Thursday, 2130 US Eastern time Wednesday)The market expects employment to rise by about 20,000, with forecasts ranging from 10,000 to 47,000; Westpac forecasts a stronger 30,000 gainEmployment fell by about 16,000 in July, below all expectations, after solid gains of about 38,000 in May and 80,000 in JuneThe unemployment rate is expected to hold at 4.5%, with forecasts between 4.4% and 4.5%July's rate edged up only fractionally, from 4.43% to 4.46%, but enough to round up from 4.4% to 4.5%Westpac expects employment growth to slow through the second half of the year as headwinds buildAustralia's August labour force figures are expected to show employment recovering after a surprise decline in July, with the unemployment rate seen holding at 4.5%. The data are due at 11.30am Sydney time on Thursday 24 September, which is 0130 GMT on Thursday and 2130 US Eastern time on Wednesday.Markets expect employment to have risen by about 20,000 in August, although forecasts range widely, from 10,000 to 47,000. Westpac is more optimistic than the consensus, pencilling in a gain of 30,000. Forecasts for the unemployment rate sit between 4.4% and 4.5%, with both Westpac and the market median at 4.5%.The rebound would follow a weak July, when employment fell by about 16,000. That result was below market expectations and at the bottom of analysts' individual forecasts, coming after strong gains of about 38,000 in May and around 80,000 in June. Westpac said that, looking past monthly volatility, employment growth had been running at a relatively robust pace through the first half of the year, supported by the earlier recovery in economic growth.The July unemployment rate was less dramatic than the headline suggested. The drop in employment was partly offset by a fall in the number of people looking for work, as the participation rate, the share of working-age Australians employed or actively seeking a job, slipped by 0.1 percentage point. That cut the labour force by about 12,000. As a result, the unemployment rate barely moved, edging up from 4.43% to 4.46%, just enough to round up from 4.4% to 4.5%. Westpac assumes participation holds steady at 66.9% in August, keeping the unemployment rate at 4.5%.Beyond August, Westpac expects the labour market to lose momentum. The bank said headwinds are building and anticipates a slowdown in employment growth through the second half of the year. Early survey evidence points the same way: the S&P Global flash PMI for September showed private sector employment falling for the first time in four months, with the modest decline the steepest since October 2020.The timing gives the data added weight. The Reserve Bank of Australia meets on 28 and 29 September, and markets widely expect it to raise its cash rate from 4.35%. A solid August result would reinforce the view that the labour market remains resilient enough to absorb tighter policy, while a second consecutive decline in employment could sharpen debate over how far the RBA will need to go after next week. This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.