SYDNEY, Sept 12 Reuters Australian business conditions proved resilient yet again in August with a broad uptick in sales, profits and jobs, while inflationary pressures remained elevated, a result that could add to the case for more monetary tightening to tame inflation.

A survey from National Australia Bank Ltd NAB released on Tuesday showed its index of business conditions rose to 13 in August, from an upwardly revised 11 in July. Its volatile measure of confidence bounced 1 point to 2.

The survey39;s measure of employment gained 3 points to 9, while the sales index picked up 1 point to 18 and profitability rose 2 points to 13.

Forward orders, an indicator for the demand outlook which has been sluggish, rose one point to a flat reading, while capacity utilisation edged back above 85, nearing historical highs.

There was a notable rise in the employment index which is well above the longrun average, suggesting labour demand has remained strong into the second half of the year, said NAB39;s chief economist Alan Oster.

Price growth also remains elevated which reflects the considerable cost pressures businesses are facing, as well as the ongoing resilience of demand… We expect inflation to remain elevated in Q3.

Indeed, growth in labour costs was 3.2 higher in the past three months, easing a little from the previous reading of 3.7, while purchasing costs picked up to 2.9 from 2.8.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has paused its rate hikes for a third straight month,…