The Australian job market has stagnated in June after rebounding 5.47 percent in May, according to the latest Advantage Job Index online job ads figures.
Job advertisements were down in April, but rebounded slightly in May suggesting the April figures were an aborration. June’s figures however show a return to the prevailing negative sentiment of April, compounded by uncertainty over the RSPT (now MRRT) and the possibility of an early election destabilising business.
Advantage Professional’s Melanie Corner says job ads in mining, engineering and accounting have all fallen, suggesting concern over the RSPT has heavily impacted two of these three sectors.
“The worst performing sector in June was sales and marketing and retail, with a 2.8 per cent decrease suggesting reduced spend and decline in consumer confidence,” she said, The ABC reports.
Administration & Clerical jobs have performed best, up 81.76 percent since the same time last year and Human Resources at 75.83 percent.
Robert Olivier, Director, Global Market Intelligence, Advantage Resourcing has said that the risk of an early election is impacting hiring intentions as companies decide whether to take on full-time staff.
“2009 was characterised by underemployment and part-time employment as companies tried to save on salaries but minimise retrenchments,” explained Mr Olivier
The suspension of mining projects figured strongly in the June result.
“The Australian public and particularly those working in the Mining industry are naturally concerned about the suspension of mining projects” Mr Oliver said.