SEEK Employment Report: Strong National Job Ad Growth In September

The latest SEEK Employment Report shows a "strong return to positive m/m performance with a 9.2% national growth in jobs advertised. Comparing September 2020 with September 2019, job ads are 20.9% lower, which is the smallest difference in y/y comparison since the pandemic began, improving further from August which had a y/y difference of 29.1%. This month we have seen strong growth across all states and territories nationally, resulting in a healthy month-on-month growth of 9.2%. With last week's Federal Budget including a focus on jobs and employment, together with the potential easing of restrictions in Victoria, we will be watching with interest to see if this positive trend continues. Topping the list of industries contributing the most to growth in jobs listed on seek.com.au is Hospitality & Tourism. This is particularly pleasing as we know this industry has been impacted heavily over the course of the year. Its recovery is closely linked to the easing of restrictions, and we are also starting to see businesses prepare for the summer and Christmas holiday period by beginning seasonal hiring… In September the m/m growth rate for New South Wales and Victoria has accelerated sharply, with both experiencing big gains in SEEK job ads growth, at 10.9% and 12.9% respectively. This upturn signals the two states have begun to recover ground after previously tracking behind other states and territories in job ad rates comparable to pre-COVID levels."