Payroll jobs in Tasmania decreased by 0.4 per cent in the fortnight to October 16, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated.

This newspaper would estimate that at roughly 900-1000 jobs.

The ABS estimated the state lost 0.6 per cent of payroll jobs in net terms in the four weeks after September 18.

The figures suggested a softening of the state labour market in the period after promising official labour force figures from the ABS for the period to early September.

Those figures estimated Tasmanian employment had increased by about 900 people in a month to a record 263,100 people in seasonally adjusted terms.

A state government spokesperson said Tasmanian jobs were at record levels and the economy was nation-leading.

"Importantly, payroll jobs data released today shows that, compared to this time last year, payroll jobs are 2.3 per cent higher, nearly five times higher than the growth seen nationally of just 0.5 per cent," they said.

"But we know that many Tasmanian small businesses are still experiencing difficulties and trading downturns due to interstate COVID-19 travel and border restrictions.

"That's why today we have announced the opening of the November round of the Supercharged Micro and Small Business Border Closure Critical Support Grant, bringing the financial support recently made available to Tasmanian businesses to around the $80 million mark.

"We will continue to do everything we can to support our economy and create jobs as we look to the reopening of our borders on December 15 and work to secure our future."

The payrolls figures suggested national employment increased by 1.3 per cent in the fortnight to October 16.

"Payroll jobs increased through the first half of October as lockdowns and other restrictions eased, particularly in New South Wales (up 3.5 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (up 2.4 per cent) and Victoria (up 0.8 per cent)," ABS head of labour statistics Bjorn Jarvis said.

"Almost every industry saw a rise in payroll jobs in the fortnight to mid-October, with the largest rises seen in accommodation and food services (up 5.6 per cent) and arts and recreation services (up 4.8 per cent).

"These rises mainly reflected recovery in these industries in New South Wales ...

The October labour force figures will be released on Thursday, covering the period from September 26 to October 9.

The labor force figures estimate the number of employed people, some of whom would work two or more jobs.

The payrolls figures measure actual jobs.

They do not cover all jobs, including those of owner-managers.

Tasmania will open its borders to vaccinated people on December 15.

That is expected to lift employment in the tourism and accommodation sectors and boost retail.