AUD/USD (AUDUSD) is at 0.71426 as of 02:44 UTC on 22 May 2026, down approximately 8 pips from the session open near 0.71500. The Australian dollar to USD traded through a range of roughly 16 pips overnight, reaching a session high near 0.71526 before selling off on the back of weaker-than-expected Australian jobs data released on 21 May.

Investing.com stated that Australia’s April jobs report showed employment fell 18,600 (expected +22,000) with unemployment rising to 4.5%, above the RBA’s 4.2% forecast.^[1] The data sent June RBA hike pricing from around 15% to just 6%, per Investing.com.^[1] Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the US dollar hovered below its six-week high on Thursday as investors priced in growing hopes for a US-Iran peace deal.^[2]

All prices refer to the Vantage AUDUSD CFD as of 02:44 UTC on 22 May 2026. Charts are from TradingView via Vantage and are indicative. This is not financial advice.

Key Points

• The Vantage AUDUSD TradingView chart opened near 0.71500 on 22 May 2026, climbed to a session high of 0.71526 around 22:45 UTC 21 May, then sold off to a session low near 0.71365 around 01:00 UTC, a drop of approximately 16 pips.
• Australia’s April jobs report, released 21 May, was significantly weaker than expected. Investing.com stated that employment fell 18,600 (vs +22,000 expected), full-time jobs dropped 40,900, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.5%, already well above the RBA’s own forecast of 4.2% for the first half of 2026.^[1]
• The AUDUSD technical analysis picture, as per FXStreet, shows the pair facing headwinds from weak domestic data and preliminary PMI data today, while easing US-Iran tensions may limit the downside via a softer USD.^[3]

AUDUSD chart: roughly 16-pip range with two-leg selloff

The 1-minute Vantage AUDUSD TradingView chart from 21:00 UTC 21 May to 02:44 UTC 22 May shows a clear two-phase structure. The pair opened near 0.71500, climbed to the session high near 0.71526 around 22:45 UTC, then sold off in two legs to the session low near 0.71365 around 01:00 UTC, with trading activity on the Vantage CFD feed increasing on the down moves. The pair has been in choppy recovery since, trading near 0.71426 as of the chart timestamp.

AUDUSD news: what is driving the Australian dollar today

April jobs data: unemployment at 4.5% rattles RBA hike pricing

The main driver of the AUDUSD chart overnight is Australia’s April labour market report. Per Investing.com, employment fell by 18,600 while unemployment rose by 33,000 workers, pushing the jobless rate to 4.5%, already above the RBA’s forecast path of 4.2% for the first half of 2026.^[1]

USD subdued: easing US-Iran tensions cap the AUD/USD downside

The second factor in the AUDUSD outlook is the US dollar. Reuters reported that the USD hovered below its six-week high on Thursday as investors priced in growing optimism over a potential US-Iran peace deal.^[2] Iran peace deal hopes are reducing dollar safe-haven demand, which may limit the AUDUSD downside, according to FXStreet.^[3]

AUDUSD technical analysis: key levels

Reference levels on the Vantage AUDUSD CFD. Not trade signals.

Table 1: Vantage AUDUSD CFD levels as of 02:44 UTC, 22 May 2026. Sources: TradingView, Investing.com, FXStreet. Indicative only.

AUD/USD forecast: what to watch today

• PBoC rate decision, today (22 May): Consensus expects the People’s Bank of China to hold its one-year Loan Prime Rate at 3.00%, as per FXStreet.^[3] Any surprise cut would boost risk sentiment and could provide support for AUD given Australia’s trade exposure to China. A hold is the base case.
• Australian Flash PMI, today (22 May): FXStreet identifies this as the second key domestic data point today, alongside the PBoC decision.^[3] Weak PMI data would reinforce the soft labour market picture and add to the case for a June RBA pause. A stronger reading could limit the AUD downside.
• US-Iran diplomacy, ongoing: Per Reuters, Trump stated Iran talks are in ‘final stages’, though markets remain cautious.^[2] Any confirmed progress on a deal would reduce oil prices and the Hormuz disruption risk premium, easing one structural support for the USD and providing modest relief for AUDUSD.
• RBA June meeting, 16 June: With June hike pricing at just 6% per Investing.com, the market is effectively pricing a pause.^[1]

On risk management: the AUDUSD chart moved approximately 16 pips from session high to session low. Many traders may monitor the 0.7138 session low and the 0.7155 session high as immediate reference zones. If you hold gold, GBPUSD, or USDJPY alongside AUDUSD, check combined USD exposure before today’s data releases.

Leverage cuts both ways. Position sizing relative to account equity matters more than usual on a day with a PBoC decision, Flash PMI, and Iran diplomacy all live.

RISK WARNING: CFDs are complex financial instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should ensure you fully understand the risks involved and carefully consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money before trading.

Disclaimer: The information is provided for educational purposes only and doesn’t take into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances, or needs. It does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to seek independent advice if necessary. The information has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained within. This material may contain historical or past performance figures and should not be relied on. Furthermore estimates, forward-looking statements, and forecasts cannot be guaranteed. The information on this site and the products and services offered are not intended for distribution to any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

References

[1] “AUD/USD, ASX 200 Outlook: Soft Aussie Jobs Data Rattles RBA Hike Bets – Investing.com.” https://www.investing.com/analysis/audusd-asx-200-outlook-soft-aussie-jobs-data-rattles-rba-hike-bets-200680682 Accessed 22 May 2026.

[2] “Dollar hovers below six-week peak as Iran deal hopes grow – Reuters via Investing.com.” https://www.investing.com/currencies/aud-usd Accessed 22 May 2026.

[3] “AUD/USD Forecast, News and Analysis – FXStreet.” https://www.fxstreet.com/currencies/audusd Accessed 22 May 2026.

[4] “Australian Dollar – Quote – Chart – Historical Data – News – Trading Economics.” https://tradingeconomics.com/australia/currency Accessed 22 May 2026.

[5] “AUD/USD 2026 Outlook: Policy Divergence and a Shifting Dollar Trend – Forex.com.” https://www.forex.com/en-us/news-and-analysis/aud-usd-2026-outlook-policy-divergence-and-a-shifting-dollar-trend/ Accessed 22 May 2026.

[6] “AUD/USD Forecast 2026 – Mitrade.” https://www.mitrade.com/au/insights/forex/forex-basics/audusd-forecast-2026 Accessed 22 May 2026.

[7] “Outlook – Statement on Monetary Policy May 2026 – Reserve Bank of Australia.” https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/smp/2026/may/outlook.html Accessed 22 May 2026.

[8] “CME FedWatch Tool – CME Group.” https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html Accessed 22 May 2026.

[9] “AUD/USD technical analysis – Investing.com.” https://www.investing.com/currencies/aud-usd-technical Accessed 22 May 2026.