Job ads up for first time since January

The number of organisations publishing job ads has increased for the first time month-on-month since January 2023.

According to SEEK’s July Employment Report released last week, the number of job ads increased 0.8 per cent. This is the first time they’ve increased, albeit slightly, since January’s report.

Demand for hospitality and tourism workers drove the overall increase in job ads, rising 12.4 per cent month-on-month. This was followed by trades and services job ads, which recorded a 2.2 per cent rise, accounting job ads (a 1.2 per cent rise), and manufacturing, transport and logistics jobs ads (a 1.1 per cent rise).

NSW recorded the highest increase in job ads among the states and territories, rising 3.6 per cent, followed by Queensland at 1.1 per cent, Northern Territory at 0.6 per cent and Tasmania at 0.2 per cent.

On the opposite side, the ACT recorded a 3.5 per cent decline in job ads, as did Western Australia (-2.2 per cent), Victoria (-1.2 per cent) and South Australia (-0.3 per cent).

Meanwhile, applications nationwide increased by 4.4 per cent, rising for the fifth consecutive month. They are now just 1 per cent lower than July 2019 levels.

Applications per job ad grew in every state and territory, most notably in Western Australia (6 per cent), Queensland (5 per cent) and South Australia (5 per cent).

Commenting off the back of the July data, Kendra Banks, managing director, SEEK ANZ, said:

“We are still experiencing a demand-heavy market. There are particular shortages in the Education & Training, Healthcare & Medical and Community Services & Development industries when comparing job ad volumes to pre-COVID.

“There was strong demand this month for workers in Hospitality, with job ads for Chefs, Wait and Bar Staff and Kitchen Hands driving job ads up in New South Wales and Queensland.

“The good news for hirers is that candidate activity is growing at pace. There is now competition for the opportunities on offer, so we are in a much more balanced jobs market than we were 12 months ago.

“My advice to jobseekers is to take a deeper look at the opportunities on offer. SEEK helps to find matches not just based on job title, but based on skills and experience, so be open to new roles and industries, as there are plenty on offer.”

Recently, HR Leader heard from Ross McDonald, Perkbox Australia’s country manager, on how hiring managers can attract quality candidates.

Mr McDonald said the secret lies within a business’ rewards, benefits, and recognition policies.

“The way for most organisations, they’re unable to give everybody a pay rise. But by being thoughtful with the benefits program, sometimes those organisations can make life a bit easier for their employees. And that’s certainly appreciated at the moment.”