Job ads fell 0.4% in October, but applications per role climbed for over three years straight, says SEEK Senior Economist Dr Blair Chapman.
What’s happening: Job advertisements declined 0.4% month-on-month in October 2025, with the annual decline slowing to 2.2%, according to SEEK’s latest Employment Report.
Why this matters: With applications continuing to climb while job ads decline, businesses hold greater bargaining power, whilst workers seeking new roles before year-end must navigate a more challenging landscape than in recent months.
Australia’s job market showed mixed signals in October, with hiring activity declining modestly whilst worker interest in available roles reached levels not seen in over three years.
Job advertisements fell 0.4% month-on-month in October, according to SEEK’s Employment Report, with the annual decline slowing to 2.2%. Despite the overall downturn, several industries demonstrated resilience, with Manufacturing and Transport & Logistics roles growing 1.1%, Construction up 1.0%, and Real Estate & Property positions climbing 1.4% month-on-month to become the fastest growing sector.
Dr Blair Chapman, SEEK Senior Economist, noted the decline was driven by specific sectors.
“Failing demand within the Professional Services and Public sectors drove the overall monthly decline, while Healthcare and Medical, and Retail & Consumer Products roles recorded monthly and annual drops in ad volume,” Dr Chapman said.
However, he highlighted pockets of strength.
“There were pockets of growth for the month, which reflect longer term demand within the Construction and Industrial Sectors, particularly in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.”
Industries showing growth
The data revealed clear winners and losers across industry sectors. Whilst professional services struggled, the construction and industrial sectors maintained momentum, suggesting underlying demand for skilled trades and technical workers persists despite broader economic uncertainty.
This pattern aligns with longer-term trends in Australia’s labour market, where certain sectors have demonstrated resilience even as overall hiring moderates.
Applications climb steadily
Perhaps the most significant trend was the continued rise in applications per job advertisement, which increased 1.3% month-on-month in October, marking the 37th consecutive month of growth.
This sustained increase in candidate activity creates a competitive environment for jobseekers, particularly as businesses appear to be taking a more cautious approach to hiring.
Dr Chapman explained the seasonal context.
“As we move through the final weeks of 2025, where hiring activity tends to slow, candidate activity tends to rise, making it competitive for workers looking to secure a new position ahead of the new year.”
Wages inch upward
On the salary front, advertised wage growth showed modest improvement. Monthly growth rose 0.4% in October, with a slow upward trend since June 2025. Annual growth reached 3.6%, returning to levels last recorded in May.
Dr Chapman noted the disconnect between wage growth and broader labour market indicators.
“The slight acceleration in annual advertised salaries growth, returning to the pace last recorded in May, comes despite the labour market looking a little weaker than it did then, with annual employment growth slower and a higher unemployment rate.”
He added that wages continue to outpace living costs.
“Advertised salary growth outpaced employee living costs by an even wider margin in the September quarter. While employee living costs remain steady at 2.6% year-on-year, advertised salaries grew faster in September than they did in June.”
Year-end hiring patterns
The October data reflects typical seasonal patterns, with hiring activity generally slowing as businesses approach year-end. However, the continued strength in applications suggests workers remain eager to make career moves despite the cooling market.
For businesses, this creates an opportunity to be more selective in hiring, with a larger candidate pool to choose from. For jobseekers, the data underscores the importance of standing out in an increasingly competitive landscape.
The trends observed in October suggest that workforce strategies for 2024 and beyond remain relevant, with employers maintaining cautious optimism whilst candidates must adapt to a market where demand has moderated but opportunity persists in key sectors.
As the year draws to a close, the labour market appears to be settling into a new equilibrium, one characterised by selective hiring, sustained candidate interest, and steady if unspectacular wage growth. The question for 2026 will be whether this stabilisation marks a new normal or simply a pause before the next shift in Australia’s dynamic employment landscape.
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