Australia saw 2.9 per cent more job ads in April than in March, continuing the trend of three consecutive months of record-breaking job ad numbers, but employers are still struggling to fill those positions.
Furthermore, job postings increased by 22.5 per cent year on year in April 2020 and by 59.7 per cent year on year in December 2019.
According to the most recent report by employment marketplace SEEK, the April increase was fueled by a rise in office and administrative support (4.8%), followed by community services and development (4.8%). (4.2 per cent).
“Traditionally, we would expect a drop in job ads during the Easter period, but last month, job ads rose by 2.9% from March, demonstrating just how in-demand workers are,” said Kendra Banks, Managing Director ANZ, SEEK.
“The two top industries by volume, Trades & Services and Hospitality & Tourism, both recorded a month-on-month decrease in job ads, yet this was not enough to offset overall growth, resulting in another record month of job ads on SEEK.”
More Australians are on the workforce sidelines
In contrast, applications per job fell 7.6 per cent in April compared to March, indicating that more Australian job seekers are leaving the market.
When we compare the March 2022 data to the March 2019 data, we see a 47% decrease in job applications.
“Applications per job ad fell for the third consecutive month by 7.6%, putting additional pressure on talent-strapped businesses,” Banks said.
All states saw an increase in job listings, with the Northern Territory and Queensland (5.4 per cent) leading the way, followed by South Australia (4.3 per cent). Other states that have seen increases include Victoria (1.1 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (1.2 per cent), and New South Wales (2.9 per cent).
Rick Harshman, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific and Japan at UiPath believes that technologies such as automation can free up workers’ time, enable a better work-life balance, and create vastly improved efficiencies that allow the business to be agile and responsive to customers.
“Australian businesses have been hamstrung by skill shortages across numerous industries. Workers worldwide feel the stress and strain of labour shortages in very personal ways. Without a shift toward more meaningful work, businesses will continue to face productivity and competitive pressures,” Rick said.
“While this issue is complex, the world of work has changed, and retaining and attracting workers with emerging technology is a business imperative.”
Australia is missing migrants
According to the Ready to Work report, three out of four (75 per cent) people from CALD backgrounds expect to wait up to three years to get the job they want. Compared to the 72 per cent of non-CALD Australians who find work within six months, this is a significant difference.
With jobs, employment, skills, and immigration all under the spotlight as we approach the Federal Election, public discussion of skills shortages and how to repair Australia’s economy following COVID damage is at an all-time high.
According to the Grattan Institute’s new report, Migrants in the Workplace, there were approximately 1.5 million temporary migrants in Australia in January 2022, down from nearly 2 million in 2019.
The 500,000 “missing migrants” are mostly international students and working vacationers from other countries. Some businesses are suffering more than others due to the uncapped temporary migration program’s shortfall of migrants.
Click for the latest SEEK Employment Report data, or more employment insights or career advice; visit SEEK’s Hiring Advice or SEEK’s Career Advice.
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