The jobless rate has fallen to a three-month low of 5.2 per cent, defying expectations of a further increase.
The fall in November, from 5.4 per cent in October, came as the number of people in employment rose by a surprising 13,900, an Australian Bureau of Statistics report released on Thursday said.
While full-time employment fell by 4200, this was partly offset by an 18,100 increase in part-time jobs.
The data comes just days after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut the official cash rate to its lowest level since the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, and September quarter national accounts figures revealed the economy grew at its slowest quarterly pace since the Queensland floods.
Most states saw a decline in their jobless rates in November.
But Victoria's rate rose to 5.5 per cent, from 5.4 per cent, and in Tasmania it was unchanged at 6.7 per cent.
In NSW, the unemployment rate fell to 5.1 per cent (from 5.2 per cent), while in Queensland it declined to 6.0 per cent (from 6.1) and in South Australia it dropped to 5.3 per cent (from 5.6).
Western Australia recorded a hefty drop to 4.1 per cent, from 4.6 per cent.
In the ACT the rate rose to 4.1 per cent (from 4.0) and in the Northern Territory it declined to 3.8 per cent (from 3.9).
CommSec chief economist Craig James said the jobs figures show the Australian economy is holding up well despite an uncertain economic environment.
'While there are a number of high profile company failures and job losses, beneath the surface small and medium-sized business are still keen to put on more staff,' he said.
'The anecdotal evidence is that it is hard to attract and retain staff and today's jobs figures back up these observations.
'The doomsters have got it wrong - again. More jobs created, more hours worked and fewer people unemployed.'
However, Mr James said he doesn't expect big improvement in the unemployment rate in the months to come.
'While it is encouraging that employment grew, more forward looking indicators like job advertisements have suggested that further labour market gains may be more circumspect,' he said.
