SEEK: Record Job Ads And Growth Across The Country

SEEK note that “January saw record-breaking job ad numbers nationally, 4.9% more than in December, according to the latest SEEK Employment Report. The new figures represent a 39.6% increase y/y and are 36.6% higher than those recorded pre-pandemic in January 2019. All states and territories recorded m/m and y/y growth, with the number of applications per job ad also rising for the second consecutive month – this time by 5.7%. We are experiencing the great job boom, with record job ad numbers on seek.com.au in recent months, and January’s figures the highest in 25 years. There were increases to job ads across the board, as all states and territories experienced month-on-month and year-on-year growth, and Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania all recorded the highest number of job ads in SEEK’s history. Despite applications per job ad rising by 5.7% and visits on site remaining high, the total number of applications are still low. The unemployment rate, announced as being at a 13-year low by the ABS last month, is evidence of the small pool from which hirers are trying to engage new talent. Businesses and candidates returned to job searching after the summer holiday period quicker than the previous two years, with job ads on site lifting from as early as the first week of the year.”