SEEK: Job Ad Volumes Nationally Hit 90% Of Pre-COVID Levels

SEEK have noted that "in the fortnight ended 25 October 2020, job ad volumes across Australia were 90% of pre-COVID levels. October has continued the strong growth from September. This is the highest national job ad figure since COVID began having an impact in March. Queensland has now joined Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania as states and territories that have more job ads than pre-COVID levels. We have often talked about the close correlation between restrictions easing and more jobs advertised, and this is again evident. The relaxation of restrictions in Victoria from 18 October and the announcement of further restrictions easing now allowing retail and hospitality, in particular, to re-open in the run-up to Christmas has led to strong growth in Victorian job ad volumes. In the last four weeks, Victoria has had a 20-percentage point increase from 56% to 76% of job ads when compared to pre-COVID levels. This growth in job ads for Victoria in the last week brings job ad percentage levels to a similar level with New South Wales and the ACT. If job ads continue to trend upwards in line with restriction lifting, then we will see Victoria overtake New South Wales in terms of percentage of jobs compared to pre-COVID levels in the coming month. In the last fortnight, job ads in New South Wales were at 84% of pre-COVID levels and continues to climb steadily."