The effects of public holidays on job advertisements

While it is still a candidate’s market, new data suggests that public holidays affect the volume of job advertisements.

The SEEK Employment Report April 2023 revealed that job ads dropped 1.4 per cent in the month of April. Kendra Banks, managing director of SEEK ANZ, believes this is due to the multiple public holidays recognised throughout the month.

“April was an interrupted month with multiple public holidays and observances, which has led to a drop in job ad numbers month-on-month, notably through a fall in hospitality and tourism roles. Additionally, we expect year-on-year deficits to continue to grow, as this time last year we were in the middle of the Great Job Boom,” she said

The decrease seen is still light compared to April 2022, where they were 19.1 per cent lower. However, they’re still 24.7 per cent higher than April 2019.

Of the industries listed, sport and recreation, government and defence, and hospitality and tourism led the decline, at 6.1 per cent, 5.7 per cent, and 5.6 per cent, respectively.

Other industries saw an increase, such as education and training, climbing 5.3 per cent, and consulting and strategy, rising 4.6 per cent.

Ms Banks continued: “Job ad volumes in many industries remain significantly above pre-pandemic levels despite falling in April, including community services and development, manufacturing, transport and Logistics, and trades and services.

“Education and training roles continue to buck the trending decline, rising for the fourth consecutive month. This confirms that there is a significant teacher shortage, particularly at the upper and lower levels of the discipline.”

“Despite high job ad levels, candidates are also applying in greater number each month, which is a positive place for the market to be.”

Compared to April 2019, job ads are at considerably higher levels. Community services and development saw the most dramatic increase, with 90.1 per cent more advertised. Education and training followed at 80.3 per cent, and farming, animals and conversation after that, at 72.5 per cent.

Different parts of Australia saw changes in data. The only areas where job ads increased were South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, at 2.1 per cent, 1.4 per cent, and 1.3 per cent, respectively.

Meanwhile, NSW dropped 2.2 per cent, Victoria 1.2 per cent, and Queensland 1.4 per cent. ACT saw the biggest drop at 6.6 per cent.

Jack Campbell

Jack is the editor at HR Leader.